The San Antonio Spurs won Game 3, 115-111, with 32 points from Victor Wembanyama, cutting New York's series lead to 2-1. Game 4 is at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Here are three things to watch before Game 4.
Is the Circus Over and Will the Knicks Settle Down?
Game 3 was the first Finals game at the Garden since 1999, with a sellout crowd, celebrities, and the U.S. president in attendance. The Knicks, on a 13-game winning streak, didn't handle the occasion well. Jalen Brunson had 5 turnovers and a flagrant foul, Josh Hart got a technical, and they lost despite leading at times.
The players insist the noise wasn't the problem.
"No matter what the narrative is or what's going on, we have to be professional, do what we need to do on the court," Brunson said. "We have to lock in, execute our game plan and be together as a team. ... Last night was no different."
Hart was more direct about the locker-room message.
"0-0. No matter if we won or lost yesterday, today we came in, did film, got better, learned for what we could do, do this damn circus of a media and then get shots up and go to sleep," Hart said.
The bigger issue was the start. New York fell behind early in all three games, and Knicks coach Mike Brown wants more force at the beginning.
"We have to up our level of physicality, especially at the start of the games, and try to maintain it throughout the course without fouling," Brown said.
Karl-Anthony Towns summarized it clearly.
"We have to try to be the first ones to throw the first punch," Towns said.
Brunson frustrated at Wemby 😳 pic.twitter.com/0xd2HO78NV
— ESPN (@espn) June 9, 2026
Does Brunson Need a Big Game?
Brunson has made crucial shots to win Games 1 and 2, so his focus is on efficiency rather than sheer production. In Game 3, he scored 32 points on 11-of-25 shooting with 5 turnovers, and in Game 2, he went 7-of-25. His shooting averages are 37% from the field and 32% from three, with a total of 82 points on 81 shots, averaging 27 attempts per game—more than any other Knick.
Those possessions have come at a cost. Towns hasn't scored in the fourth quarter, and Brown knows he must get the ball to him.
"It's extremely important that he's getting touches, that he's involved, not just in the fourth quarter, but obviously throughout the ballgame," Brown said. "I got to continue trying to do a better job of getting him involved throughout the course of the game, as well as late."
The Spurs aren't making it easy, throwing Stephon Castle and extra bodies at Brunson. Brunson framed his own Game 4 around control, not volume.
"Most importantly, not turn the ball over, give my team an opportunity," Brunson said. "Kind of in the middle. I've played better, but also I played worse."
Can Harper and Castle Keep It Up?
San Antonio's young guards played a key role in turning around Game 3. Castle scored 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, adding 5 assists and applying defensive pressure on Brunson. Dylan Harper contributed with 9 rebounds despite shooting 5-of-18.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson consistently relies on the trio of Castle, Harper, and De'Aaron Fox.
"The three playmakers that have the ball in their hands a lot in terms of De'Aaron, Dylan, and Steph," Johnson said. "They're great fits with those guys."
The question for Harper is shot selection. He kept firing from deep in Game 3 even as the shots clanged, and the Knicks may keep daring him to.
"Every night is not going to be your night. Last night, I couldn't make a shot," Harper said. "I'm going to keep on shooting them because I feel like the confidence I have in myself, the confidence the team has in me."
Castle isn't worried about the Knicks dictating to them.
"For the most part, we kind of dictate where we want to go on the court. I think that's a skill that me and him both have," Castle said.
If Castle stays aggressive and Harper picks his spots, San Antonio can even the series. If the young guards cool off, the Knicks should reclaim control.
