Victor Wembanyama carries Spurs to 115-111 win that cuts Knicks’ NBA Finals lead to 2-1
Victor Wembanyama has his first NBA Finals win, and the New York Knicks suddenly have plenty of work left if they want to end their 53-year championship drought.
Wembanyama scored 32 points with eight rebounds and six assists as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Knicks 115-111 on Monday night, cutting New York’s series lead to 2-1. San Antonio is trying to become the first team to win an NBA Finals after losing the first two games at home.
The Spurs handed the Knicks their first loss in 46 days and snapped their 13-game winning streak, the second-longest in NBA postseason history, before a Madison Square Garden crowd that included President Donald Trump. New York missed a chance to move within one win of its first title since 1973.
Stephon Castle scored 23 points, and he and De’Aaron Fox hit key late shots to avoid an 0-3 deficit. The Spurs can tie the series Wednesday and are guaranteed another home game, with Game 5 set for Saturday.
Jalen Brunson scored 32 points and OG Anunoby added 28 for the Knicks, who lost for the first time since April 23.
Wembanyama, whose late turnover hurt San Antonio in Game 2, scored 10 fourth-quarter points and helped the Spurs hold off another Brunson rally.
A crowd that included Derek Jeter and Eli Manning watched the Knicks struggle for stretches, with Karl-Anthony Towns scoring 11 points and Mikal Bridges hampered by foul trouble.
