2026 NBA Finals

Recap: Spurs silence Madison Square Garden with Game 3 win

The San Antonio Spurs earn their first win of the 2026 NBA Finals. Re-live the experience with our Game 3 live blog.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs control the fourth quarter to take Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals over the New York Knicks.

The San Antonio Spurs stayed in control in front of a raucous Game 3 crowd at Madison Square Garden, earning their first win of the 2026 NBA Finals behind Victor Wembanyama (32 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast, 3 blk, 2 stl) and Stephon Castle (23 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast). The Knicks now lead the Finals, 2-1.

Read below to recap Game 3.

11:51 ET / JUNE 8

One time for Victor Wembanyama

11:48 ET / JUNE 8

Postgame Presser: Spurs-Knicks

11:31 ET / JUNE 8

Spurs win, 115-111

The San Antonio Spurs showed their mettle tonight amid the roar of the crowd at Madison Square Garden to take control of Game 3 and earn their first win in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Victor Wembanyama (32 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast, 3 blk, 2 stl) outplayed Karl-Anthony Towns (11 pts, 8 reb, 3 stl, 2 blk), becoming the second-youngest player to put up a 30-5-5 in the Finals, following Magic Johnson.

“The job is absolutely not done,” said Wembanyama. “The hardest is yet to come.”

San Antonio had 28 assists to 18 for New York, as well as a 21-7 advantage in points off turnovers. They committed just eight giveaways in a game that saw six lead changes and four ties.

“An inspiring road win,” said ESPN’s Mike Breen. “And they are right back in this series.”

Jalen Brunson (32 pts on 11-for-25 shooting) and OG Anunoby (28 pts on 9-for-13 shooting) led the way for the Knicks’ offense.

11:25 ET / JUNE 8

OG, oh my

OG Anunoby (28 pts) just hit a corner 3-pointer with Dylan Harper all over him, giving the Knicks a breath of life in Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks had been 0-for-10 from 3-point range before their last two possessions. They’ve won 13 straight contests — you don’t do that without being comfortable in the clutch.

The game hangs in the balance on ABC and ESPN.

11:23 ET / JUNE 8

‘The Garden has grown silent’

Jalen Brunson (32 pts) hit a pull-up 3-pointer to cut it to 111-108, stepping up as he has all series.

But on the other end, De’Aaron Fox (12 pts) hit a 15-footer in the lane, lifting the Spurs to a 113-108 advantage with 12.2 left.

The 2023 Kia Clutch Player of the Year may have just closed the door for San Antonio tonight.

11:20 ET / JUNE 8

A huge shot from Castle

Stephon Castle (21 pts) just hit a 26-foot 3-pointer as the shot clock expired, catching a late pass from Victor Wembanyama and converting the difficult shot.

“This crowd is stunned,” said Mike Breen.

111-104 Spurs with 59.6 remaining, but OG Anunoby (24 pts) is headed to the line for two.

11:15 ET / JUNE 8

Spurs maintain the lead

De’Aaron Fox (10 pts, 8 ast) drives to the rim for a layup, followed by four straight points by Victor Wembanyama (32 pts), including another alley-oop from Fox, as San Antonio holds off New York.

The Knicks are 0-for-9 from 3-point range in the fourth, as the Spurs seek to get back in the series.

108-102 Spurs with 2:33 to go in the contest.

11:00 ET / JUNE 8

Knicks cut it to five

The Spurs thought they had a 10-point lead on a potential four-point play from Victor Wembanyama, but it was overturned by a Knicks challenge.

On the other end, Jalen Brunson (22 pts) slashed to the rim for a layup, cutting the San Antonio advantage to 100-95 with 7:31 to go in the game.

Once again, the Knicks are hanging around. Will Brunson repeat his clutch heroics tonight?

10:44 ET / JUNE 8

The Alien in the air

A picture-perfect alley-oop from Stephon Castle (18 pts, 5 ast) to Victor Wembanyama (24 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast, 2 blk) opens the scoring in the fourth.

Wemby’s head was at the rim on that one — graceful, special stuff.

10:39 ET / JUNE 8

92-91 Spurs after 3Q

Big shots were falling as the third quarter ended, including 3-pointers from Jordan Clarkson (10 pts) and Dylan Harper (13 pts).

“A miracle shot,” Tim Legler said of the shot-clock beating jumper from Clarkson.

Both teams are shooting well — San Antonio’s at 52.4% and 44% from 3-point range, while New York’s at 54.1% and 47.8% from range.

The Spurs have also earned a 19-5 advantage in points off turnovers, keeping them alive in the hostile confines of Madison Square Garden.

Catch the conclusion of Game 3!

10:28 ET / JUNE 8

Spurs battling

Victor Wembanyama (20 pts, 4 ast) knocked down a 29-foot 3-pointer over a contest from Mitchell Robinson a moment ago, followed by two free throws from Dylan Harper (10 pts), who drew a fourth foul on Jalen Brunson, sending the Knicks captain to the bench.

It’s a tight, physical contest on ABC and ESPN, as this series has been throughout.

81-80 Spurs with 4:00 to go in the third.

10:17 PM / JUNE 8

A circus shot for Brunson

Jalen Brunson (20 pts) just hit a running and-one jumper in the lane, facing away from the basket while flipping it in.

His touch is elite, bordering on otherworldly at times.

On the other end, Victor Wembanyama (17 pts) pulled up for a smooth midrange jumper from the elbow off a pick-and-roll feed from De’Aaron Fox (7 ast). Made the classic shot look easy.

71-69 Knicks with 7:58 to go in the half.

9:50 PM / JUNE 8

64-57 Knicks at the half

New York uses a 42-24 second quarter to take a lead at the break, ending on a 14-3 run to seize the advantage in front of their adoring home crowd.

OG Anunoby (17 pts, 5-6 FGs, reb) and Jalen Brunson (15 pts, 3 ast) are off to strong starts for the Knicks, who have a 9-0 advantage in fast break points, while Stephon Castle (18 pts, 7-9 FGs) is the top man for the Spurs.

9:46 PM / JUNE 8

Anunoby on the attack

OG Anunoby just rumbled down the lane for a two-handed slam, mirroring his dunk on Victor Wembanyama from Game 2.

On Friday, he used his strength to bump off Wemby, dunking the ball in his airspace.

Tonight, his burst provided escape velocity as he escaped The Alien.

56-all with 1:58 to go in the half.

9:39 PM / JUNE 8

Trading the lead

Jalen Brunson (10 pts) just hit a 3-pointer to give the Knicks their first lead of the evening, but was immediately countered by Victor Wembanyama (14 pts), who knocked down a three of his own, then followed it from an alley-oop dunk, tossed to him by De’Aaron Fox (2 pts, 5 ast).

San Antonio’s playing well, but New York’s again hanging around, as they have all series. The Spurs are shooting 56.4% from the field, while the Knicks are at 52.9%.

54-50 Spurs with 3:04 to go in the half.

9:33 PM / JUNE 8

Castle on a heater

Stephon Castle (18 pts, 7-8 FGs) just converted an and-one layup, powering through the second foul by Karl-Anthony Towns for the finish at the rim, then hit a tough floater in the lane through traffic.

He’s averaging 15.5 ppg for the series — it’s a big swing for the San Antonio guard.

49-44 Spurs with 5:10 to go in the second quarter.

9:28 PM / JUNE 8

Knicks on an 11-2 run

OG Anunoby (12 pts) hits an above-the-break 3-pointer to cap a surge for the Knicks, which has electrified the crowd in Madison Square Garden.

Jordan Clarkson and Jose Alvarado came in and changed the energy for New York, helping spark the run.

40-38 Knicks with 8:13 to go in the second.

9:13 PM / JUNE 8

Spurs up 33-22 after 1Q

San Antonio’s shooting 60% from the field after one, led by Victor Wembanyama (9 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk) and Stephon Castle (7 pts, 3 ast).

Josh Hart (8 pts, 3 reb) is the top scorer for the Knicks.

The Spurs have a 16-12 advantage in points in the paint and committed just two turnovers in the first quarter, leaping out to a lead here in Game 3.

9:01 PM / JUNE 8

Wembanyama rolling early

Victor Wembanyama (9 pts on 4-of-5 shooting) heads to the bench with the Spurs up 24-13 with 4:56 to go in the first quarter.

Can the Spurs win the non-Wembanyama minutes?

8:48 PM / JUNE 8

Spurs start on a 7-0 run

San Antonio comes out firing, including a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer on the move from Devin Vassell (3 pts).

Vassell’s shooting 35.1% from range during the Playoffs — a hot night would be big for the Spurs.

8:30 PM / JUNE 8

Starting Lineups: Spurs-Knicks, Game 3

Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals tonight at Madison Square Garden.

San Antonio:

  • PG De’Aaron Fox
  • SG Stephon Castle
  • SF Devin Vassell
  • PF Julian Champagnie
  • C Victor Wembanyama

New York:

  • PG Jalen Brunson
  • SG Mikal Bridges
  • SF OG Anunoby
  • PF Josh Hart
  • C Karl-Anthony Towns

Keep an eye on Josh Hart for the Knicks tonight. Coach Mike Brown praised him at Sunday’s media day, calling him the team’s X-factor, akin to Stephen Jackson for the 2003 Spurs or Draymond Green for the Warriors’ dynasty.

On the other side, this is a huge game for Victor Wembanyama. The Alien is seeking his first career win at Madison Square Garden, with the eyes of the world watching. Can he outplay Karl-Anthony Towns tonight and put his stamp on the series?

8:05 PM / JUNE 8

The first Finals game in Madison Square Garden since 1999

New York City is abuzz tonight, as the Knicks are at home at Madison Square Garden for an NBA Finals game for the first time since 1999.

Residents have come out for electric celebrations during the first two games; the city’s subway stations have been painted blue-and-orange.

For a generation of fans, this is the first time the Knicks have been this relevant, this meaningful. They’re facing world-class opposition in the Spurs, led by budding superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Lock in and get ready, folks. It’s a big night in the Big Apple.

5:45 PM / JUNE 8

Monday’s injury report

Mitchell Robinson is available for the Knicks with a fractured right fifth metacarpal.

5:35 PM / JUNE 8

Bruson arrives for Game 3

2:52 PM / JUNE 8

The stage is set for Game 3

10:15 AM / JUNE 8

A new chapter awaits at MSG

Tonight’s game will mark the first Finals game in 27 years at Madison Square Garden. “The city is bursting at the seams with Knicks fever,” writes NBA.com’s Brian Martin.

8:37 AM / JUNE 8

Biggest surprises of the Finals

NBA.com’s writers discuss the biggest surprises of the Finals through two games.

7:27 AM / JUNE 8

Check the Finals MVP Ladder

Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson have been a difficult combination to guard in the NBA Finals.

NBA.com’s Shaun Powell lists the most dominant players of the series thus far.

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