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2026 NBA Finals

3 things to watch in Spurs-Knicks Game 4 at Madison Square Garden

After a thrilling start to the NBA Finals, San Antonio looks to even the series in Game 4 and New York eyes a bounce back win at MSG.

Shaun Powell

Shaun Powell

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The Spurs defeated the Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to snap New York's 13-game playoff winning streak.

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There’s a big difference between 3-1 and 2-2 in the NBA Finals. The former is a show of dominance and an almost guarantee of a championship as far as history is concerned. The latter means this series will last a while and belongs to no one.

Such are the stakes Wednesday for Game 4 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Do the Knicks pull somewhat comfortably ahead and increase their margin for error and their championship odds? Or do the Spurs regain home court advantage — for whatever that’s worth — and change the conversation and momentum in this series?

Chances are these questions will be answered by the composure of the young Spurs, their trapping defense on Jalen Brunson, whether Victor Wembanyama delivers like he did in Game 3, and a host of assorted adjustments by each team that will impact the outcome.

Here are three things to watch during Game 4 on Wednesday in New York (8:30 ET, ABC):

1. Wemby’s continued upward trend

It’s quite possible that the best of Wembanyama is yet to come. That’s because, over the last six quarters, he seems more comfortable in his skin and on the big stage.

Which means — is his signature performance upcoming, and if so, will it cause the Spurs to draw even?

This isn’t to suggest Wemby has been perfect during this upward trend. There’s the matter of his errant pass in the last moments of Game 2, followed by his missed jumper just before the buzzer of that Spurs loss. Otherwise, though, he has arguably been the best player on the floor, especially factoring in his impact at both ends.

This gradual growth is understandable. Wemby, like most of the Spurs, isn’t a veteran at this. Yet his confidence never seemed to waver during tougher times and right now it’s at an NBA Finals high, coming off Game 3.

“I think I got much, much better because watching film of the previous years, sometimes I was just shooting shots,” he said, explaining his growth. “Even still to this day. Sometimes it goes in. But the efficiency, the purposefulness is so much better now.”

Here’s what Wemby has done well since his shaky Game 1. Become more aggressive offensively, is no longer settling for too many 3-point shots and is wisely serving to cover the floor as much as possible defensively.

As for that last point, Wemby isn’t guarding Karl-Anthony Towns exclusively. The Spurs are often using a smaller player on Towns, who tends to cement himself in the high post, and allow Wemby to guard someone else, such as Josh Hart. Therefore, if and when Towns decides to use his size advantage on the smaller defender and drive to the basket, Wemby can sneak over and apply help defense. This worked in Game 3 when Towns was limited in scoring production.

So Wemby is maturing on this demanding stage, which was expected. But how high can he raise the bar? If he delivers something along the lines of 30 points, double-figure rebounds and five or so blocks Wednesday, that’s problematic for the Knicks.

2. Brunson back on track

It’s important to note that Brunson has hit the biggest shots in this series — in the latter stages of the first two games, both Knicks victories. That must be emphasized, because the NBA Finals isn’t about stats and cosmetics; it’s about winning plays. And Brunson’s clutch-ability trumps everything else.

Still, he needs to get a handle on his flow and especially his efficiency, because the Knicks found themselves digging out of deficits in all three games, partly because of Brunson’s shooting troubles.

If he gets hot at the start and stays hot, the Knicks’ chances of winning increase dramatically.

He’s shooting just 37% in the series and 32% from deep. Also, he’s taking 27 shots per game, more than anyone else on the Knicks. It’s 81 total shots for 82 points. While Brunson is in the mold of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Dončić in that regard — elite ball-dominant point guards whose scoring is essential — his inaccuracy is damaging because it takes opportunities away from Towns (who hasn’t scored in the fourth quarter of the series yet) and OG Anunoby, both of whom are shooting far better in this series.

“It’s extremely important that he’s getting touches, that he’s involved, not just in the fourth quarter, but obviously throughout the ballgame,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said regarding Towns. “I got to continue trying to do a better job of getting him involved throughout the course of the game, as well as late.”

It’s always a delicate balance between shooting and passing, especially with Brunson, who’s averaging 4.3 assists in the Finals. He has as many turnovers as assists. Curiously, the last time the Knicks lost a game in the postseason, Brown asked Towns to be more of a facilitator from the high post.

But it’s not a big ask of Brunson to look for his teammates more until he finds his rhythm. He has shooters around him — Towns, OG, Mikal Bridges and Landry Shamet. He can trust them.

Also, he’s going against a solid defense. The Spurs managed to keep Shai under wraps during the seven-game West Finals. Stephon Castle is dogged and aggressive and athletic enough to make Brunson work for buckets. Plus, the Spurs are tossing additional defenders in his path, trapping whenever possible.

It’s not anything different than what Brunson has seen since he became an All-NBA player. Still, for whatever reason, the shot’s not falling as frequently as he’d like. He can stick with the status quo, or make an adjustment. And live with the result one way or another.

“Most importantly, not turn the ball over,” he said, regarding his Game 4 goals. “Give my team an opportunity. Kind of in the middle. I’ve played better, but also I’ve played worse.

3. Who’s the X-factor

Every so often, a player will come along and leave an imprint on the game that dictates a favorable outcome for his team. In the last few seconds of Game 3, that was De’Aaron Fox, whose jumper helped pump the brakes on the oncoming Knicks and salvaged the win for the Spurs.

These are the players who are due for a breakout performance in Game 4.

Keldon Johnson, Spurs: It has been a struggle for the 2025-26 Kia NBA Sixth Man Award winner. He’s been quiet in this series so far, quite a change from the regular season when the Spurs benefited from his energy off the bench. Because Johnson has been so spotty, the Spurs are forced to use rookie Carter Bryant, who tends to make mistakes. Johnson must deliver more than 4.3 points, his average in this series.

Luke Kornet, Spurs: When Wemby sits, the Spurs suffer, and this must change for San Antonio. It starts with Kornet. When the backup center enters the game, the Knicks immediately attack him with Karl-Anthony Towns. Not only has Kornet suffered in that situation, but he’s a non-factor offensively (one field goal attempt in three games) and surprisingly tame on the boards (three rebound average). Wemby needs an extended rest to prepare himself for the fourth quarter. The Spurs could use the Luke Kornet who was so instrumental off the bench for the 2024 champion Boston Celtics.

Dylan Harper, Spurs: The rookie has showed out in this series, scoring in double figures every game, and isn’t afraid of the lights. That said, he settles too often for 3-pointers. If he facilitates better and attacks the rim instead of taking those deep shots, the Spurs will prosper.

Deuce McBride, Knicks: He’s fully capable of triggering a run and serving as a change of pace guard off the bench. Yet he’s also searching for his moment in this series, which hasn’t happened. McBride is 2-14 shooting and averaging under four points. But if he gets rolling, as he tends to do, watch out.

Mitchell Robinson, Knicks: His defensive play against Wemby on the last few possessions in Game 2 helped the Knicks salvage a victory. Robinson can make that much of a difference defensively and on the boards. But: The Spurs will employ the hack-a-Robinson strategy on him and, as the worst free throw shooter in the league it’s almost like a turnover when he gets to the line. Also, he’s at his most vulnerable when he must check Wemby on the perimeter.

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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