Spurs hold off Knicks late, cut series deficit to 2-1 with Game 3 win

Facing the prospect of a 3-0 series deficit in the hostile confines of Madison Square Garden, the Spurs responded with a 115-111 win over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday.

Leading San Antonio’s effort was Victor Wembanyama, who finished with a game-high 32 points to go with eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and three blocks on 11-of-18 shooting. At 22 years old, he became the second-youngest player to put up at least 30 points, five rebounds and five rebounds in an NBA Finals game, behind only Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

As for the Knicks, the loss marked their first defeat since Game 3 of the first round back in April — snapping a 13-game win streak.

New York, after trailing by as many as 12 points, pulled within one point in the final 10 seconds thanks to an OG Anunoby three from the right corner, but San Antonio sophomore Stephon Castle drilled a pair of free throws the other way to secure the victory.

San Antonio will try to be the first team in league history to lose both Games 1 and 2 of an NBA Finals at home and go on to win a championship. It’s just the second time the road team has won the first three games of an NBA Finals.

Action resumes on Wednesday with Game 4 in New York (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT).