Wembanyama's 32 points lift Spurs past Knicks 115-111 in NBA Finals Game 3 as Trump draws boos

Spurs snap Knicks' streak

After dropping the first two games at home, the San Antonio Spurs avoided falling into an 0-3 hole by beating the New York Knicks 115-111 at a raucous Madison Square Garden. The loss ended New York's 13-game playoff winning streak, their first defeat in 46 days, and revived the best-of-seven series at 2-1. Victor Wembanyama anchored the Spurs with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals, repeatedly finding seams in the Knicks' defense.

We've done what we were supposed to do but the job is absolutely not done. We're not even halfway. The hardest is yet to come.

Stephon Castle added 23 points, while Dylan Harper contributed 13 off the bench. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson matched Wembanyama's 32 points and OG Anunoby added 28, but New York shot just 13-of-37 from three-point range.

A hostile welcome for Trump

The atmosphere inside MSG was electric—and at times hostile—with President Donald Trump drawing loud boos when his image appeared on the arena's videoboard during the national anthem. Trump, the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, was invited by Knicks owner James Dolan and attended with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Heightened security measures required fans to arrive two hours before tip-off, and an outdoor watch party was cancelled. Some fans directly blamed Trump for the outcome. One supporter told Franceinfo that the president "brings nothing but bad energy" and "can't think as a team." The fan added, "The Knicks play as a team, they won 13 straight like that. And suddenly it stops. And we have in the stands a guy incredibly selfish, self-centered, hated by every true New Yorker. And we lose."

Wembanyama, meanwhile, was booed relentlessly by Knicks fans throughout the game, a role he said he embraced. "I suppose yes, it's the ultimate compliment," he smiled when asked if the jeers proved his status. He later joked about mimicking Trae Young's finger-to-lips gesture.

Wembanyama's dominance and a historic night

At 22, Wembanyama became the second-youngest player to record 30+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a Finals game, trailing only Magic Johnson, who did so at age 20 in 1980. After being limited in the first two games, the 7-foot-4 Frenchman found cleaner looks near the rim, often finishing alley-oops and using his height advantage.

Our game plan is always to look for me, but often teams scheme to take that away and my teammates benefit.

"Less mistakes, more control. It's the little things. We were more serious," he added. The Spurs held a 33-22 lead after the first quarter, but the Knicks stormed back to lead 64-57 at halftime after a 42-point second quarter. San Antonio regained the lead late in the third, and clutch free throws by Castle in the final seconds sealed the win.

Knicks coach Mike Brown criticized the officiating, noting a 24-8 free-throw disparity in the second half. "I never thought I would be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free throw attempts to another team's eight. That's tough to overcome," he said, while conceding the Spurs "came and took the game."

They won the game. They came and took the game.

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What comes next

Game 4 is set for Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, with the series then shifting back to San Antonio for Game 5 on Saturday. If necessary, Game 6 would be on June 16 in New York and a potential Game 7 on June 19 at the Spurs' home court.