This postseason has had a prevailing subplot in Victor Wembanyama’s ascent— not only as the 22-year-old cements himself as the face of the NBA, but also how the young superstar is trying to find his edge on the court. That manifested itself with an elbow to Naz Reid against the Timberwolves, and reared its head once more on Monday night against the Knicks.
Wemby was jostling with Jalen Brunson at the top of the key, and decided to throw him to the ground like he was nothing.
Brunson was obviously astonished that this even happened, because one would think that a fist-shove like this would at least warrant a whistle. I call it that, because I don’t really know how to define this move. It’s not really a push, it’s not a punch — it’s a fist-shove. Of course Wemby had to invent an entirely new way to foul someone.
We could call this him getting the superstar call, but it was wholly bizarre that he was able to get away with this against Jalen Brunson of all people. It’s not like he was manhandling someone off the bench or a role player — it was star-on-star violence. Now, while it is quite funny to see anyone get ragdolled like this, the refs definitely shouldn’t have swallowed their whistles here.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 8: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 8, 2026 at Madison in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Coming off a heartbreaking Game 2 loss, the Spurs traveled to Madison Square Garden with a 0-2 deficit vs the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. No team in NBA history has come back down 3-0 in a series, so the Spurs knew they had to play with extreme desperation. Like the first two games, the Spurs dominated the first quarter. This time, they outscored the Knicks 33-22. In the second, the Knicks and Spurs switched roles. The Knicks outscored the Spurs 42-24 in the quarter, and the Spurs faced a seven-point deficit. The Spurs fought back in the third, and their defense started to frustrate the Knicks’ offense. They took a one-point lead into the fourth, with their season on the line.
The Spurs’ defense continued to buckle down, and clutch plays were provided by Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox in the last several minutes. Despite a comeback attempt from the Knicks, Castle drained a crucial shot clock buzzer-beating 30-footer to give the Spurs a seven-point lead with 1:53 remaining. With the lead down to three, Fox drained a clutch stepback jumper to put the Spurs back up by 5 with 12 seconds left. OG Anunoby drained a clutch three from the corner, and Castle was fouled on the ensuing inbounds pass. The 21-year-old drained clutch free throws and shut down the Knicks on the next possession. The Spurs ultimately won 115-111, and now trail the series 2-1.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with 32 points (11-18 FG, 8-9 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals. After having the worst turnover of his career and the missed game-winner in Game 2, Wemby said that he would use it as fuel for Game 3. He turned in his best game of the Finals so far. The Spurs made it a point of emphasis to get him involved in the paint early, and his buckets came off lobs and paint touches. He’s now averaging 29 points per game and about 10 rebounds with three blocks. In his first Finals at 22, Wemby has played better each game, and he does not appear to be slowing down.
On the board! Fox drives into the paint and floats it up for Wemby to throw it down for the first points of the game!
Stephon Castle dropped 23 points (8-14 FG, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block. Steph was on fire in the first half, dropping 18 of his 23 in the first two quarters. He was driving to the cup with toughness and ease, with even finishing through uncalled contact multiple times. His defense also remains disciplined (for the most part) and impressive. As mentioned before, the 21-year-old was unbelievably clutch down the stretch. He drained a bailout three-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer and swished two clutch free throws to seal the game. After struggling from the field in Games 1 and 2, this is a welcome sight for him and Spurs fans worldwide.
HOW?! Steph drains the tough midrange jumper over Josh Hart!
Dylan Harper dropped 13 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Even though Dylan struggled from the field, his impact on drives and on the boards was tremendous. The 20-year-old rookie continues to play like an experienced veteran every time he’s on the court. His finishing ability has fans comparing his game to other all-star guards around the league. He has been the Spurs’ best player off the bench this entire playoff run, and he continues to get extended playing time during these Finals.
Smooth as silk! Dylan splits two defenders and glides to the cup for an easy layup!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 12 points, eight assists, three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Fox struggled shooting the ball all game, but he made an impact defensively. He got a crucial block on KAT and stayed active on rotations. When it mattered most, Fox drained his most clutch bucket in a Spurs uniform with 12 seconds left to put the Spurs up by five. For all the criticism this man has received throughout the season, including the playoffs, moments like these are why he gets paid the big bucks.
What an amazing response from this young team. After being down 0-2, they could have easily thrown in the towel, given the odds and how they’re stacked against them. Instead, this team locked in defensively and got clutch performances from their top players. The confidence this team exudes is infectious and has reached its fanbase. With winning one on the road, the door is wide open for the Spurs to even this series and put the pressure back on New York.
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs have a chance to tie up the series this Wednesday back in MSG at 7:30 P.M. (CST) on ABC.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives against Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks didn’t win a game for the first time in 14 attempts, and since CJ McCollum ignited the second-greatest postseason run in NBA history.
New York won 13 straight, and is now just two away—with four more opportunities to get those dubs—from winning the whole thing.
On balancing officiating talk with what the team can control:
“It’s going to be (a story around officiating) because I said it. The story is going to be there. But there are some controllables that we did not do a good job of doing. We allowed them to hit first at the beginning of the game. We allowed them to hit first in the beginning of the second half. We turned the ball over and we were stagnant offensively and we allowed them to get to the paint, and we did not pay attention to detail to what we are supposed to do defensively.”
On the series perspective and baffling foul split:
“I tell the guys, it’s a seven-game series for a reason. They are a great team. There are some things that we can control that I didn’t think that we controlled tonight. And then like I said, maybe we fouled 24 times, but I’m baffled that they only fouled eight in the second half.”
On allowing San Antonio into the paint:
“We allowed them to get to the paint, and we did not pay attention in detail to what we are supposed to do defensively.”
On the free-throw disparity in the second half:
“First of all, I want to get something clear. Coach Mitch Johnson and the Spurs, they won the game tonight. They came and took the game. But I will say this, I never thought I’d be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free throw attempts in the second half to another team’s eight. I don’t think I complain much about officials or the fairness when it comes to the free throw attempts. San Antonio is a great team, they’re a great team. It’s going to lower our odds big time, big time, if we play Game 4 and in the second half they get 24 free throw attempts to our eight. And maybe we were fouling, maybe we were fouling, but they foul too… There were opportunities for fouls to be called. To at least try to even the free throws out.”
On hoping for a more balanced whistle in Game 4:
“If they do this in Game 4, where it’s 24-8 in the second half, it’s going to be tough for us to win… There are a lot of things that we can do better and we’re gonna have to do better. But in the same breathe, like I said, hopefully they’ll see some more fouls called against them where it’s not 24-8. This is a four-point ball game, a one-possession ball game going down the stretch and it’s tough to overcome.”
On questioning the third-quarter free-throw gap:
“I talked to [the officials]. They outshot us 14-3 in the third quarter from the free throw line. I talked to them, and they said, well, this is a foul, this is a foul. That’s the question I had with them is, you’re right. Maybe we did foul. But they fouled, too.”
On giving the Spurs credit for execution:
“I give San Antonio, their staff and their players a lot of credit. They just stayed with it, stayed with it, tried to execute, tried to execute, tried to execute, and we did not do a good job with the details. I think it’s a combination of both because they had to execute their actions, and then we had to make sure that we tried to execute our defensive responsibilities, and we didn’t do a really good job with it.”
On struggling to overcome the whistle and the Spurs’ execution:
“Now, we didn’t play good. San Antonio played great. We could’ve played better, there were a lot of things that we didn’t do that we did in Game 1 and Game 2. But to go 24 free throw attempts in a second half… compared to eight. All the shots we took, we got fouled four times roughly for eight free throw attempts. Again, I don’t complain much, but I never thought I’d see that in an NBA Finals game, and I saw it tonight. That’s tough to overcome when you’re playing a great team.”
On the stagnant offense and turnover issues:
“Offensively, we were as stagnant as I’ve seen us all year. We just wanted to stand and watch one guy dribble a ton, and then when the ball got passed, there were no quick decisions by the guy receiving the basketball. You have to be smart, you have to do a good job taking care of the basketball, you have to move the ball and move bodies, and we’ve done that quite a bit but we didn’t do a good job of it tonight, which helped with the 13 turnovers… the turnover situation, the free throw situation, and our attention to detail about keeping them out of the paint and taking away the vertical threat, not good tonight.”
On the offense devolving into drag and no movement:
“It was the way we played and the things that we were doing offensively. We were just coming down and just basically playing ‘drag.’ We’d get the first screen, and then we literally just stood and watched. There was no movement. Like, sometimes KAT has to flash to the elbow. Sometimes he’s got to post up. … They are junking the game up by just putting [Victor Wembanyama] in one of the two corners. So if they junk the game up, I can call a play. But sometimes you’re going to have to just move and cut and pass the ball quicker and drive the ball quicker, because it’s almost a zone that they are in to a certain degree, and we didn’t do a good job of attacking it.”
On Jose Alvarado stabilizing the team in Game 3:
“He was huge. We talked about it during our film session. When Jalen went out of the game, he came in and he kind of stabilized us because we were floundering a little bit. He got us into our offense.”
On his first time coaching at MSG in the Finals:
“I was like, holy crap, I can’t believe this is where I’m going to be coaching. The biggest thing was when I got to the bench where we sit, and I kind of turned and looked at the crowd; I saw my wife and family, like, three rows back, I was like, dang, thanks, Mr. Dolan; that’s pretty nice. Just obviously the building, but more importantly when you get in and you look, for me, I see my family right there, then obviously all the stars. It makes it feel different than almost any other building you’ve been in.”
On meeting Ben Stiller and telling his wife to go get a picture:
“Ben Stiller was over there. I don’t think I’ve ever met Ben, but he was over there, and she was like, ‘Ben’s over there.’ I was like, ‘Go get a picture. I’m sure he’ll take a picture with you.’ [She was like], ‘No, I can’t do it.’”
On encouraging his wife to approach Stiller:
“When you see him next time, approach him. He’s gonna take a picture with you.”
On hoping adversity helps everyone involved:
“You’re going to hit some adversity throughout the course of the season, and this is what I talked about when I said, you know, you hoped you hit adversity because you want to see how everybody reacts, not just the players. I want to see how Mr. [James] Dolan was going to react. I want to see how [team president] Leon Rose is going to react, their group, on top of the players. Because one of them, all of them, can get pissed at me and say, screw this, we’re done. Or you could try to keep fighting, stay even-keeled and try to figure it out.”
On Brunson’s MVP snub:
“He did not get the attention that he deserved during the regular season. I think he’s a top-three MVP candidate, and when it comes down to those things, his name wasn’t mentioned much.”
On the Finals elevating Brunson’s recognition:
“Playing in the Finals, leading your team to first place in the regular season in either conference, that gives you more recognition. So something like this should definitely help and help everybody wake up a little bit and understand what type of player he is and, just as importantly, what type of person he is.”
On being forced to stay at an NYC hotel before Game 3:
“I’ve never done that for a [home] game before. But it’s easier because we’re practicing here.”
On the energy brought by former Knicks legends being around the team:
“It truly means a lot, because when they’re on the sidelines or baselines or whatever, they make their presence known. They’re full of energy. That’s just who they are. They just want the best for us, and it’s a really cool sight to see. It’s an honor to play for this organization, the history it has, to see the former players around all the time, that makes it even more special.”
"The most important thing is that we were going to learn regardless, because we knew there were things that we were going to have to improve on going into the next game"
Jalen Brunson talks about the Knicks learning from their first loss in a month and a half: pic.twitter.com/ew5dIuZRTt
On learning from the Game 3 loss and the end of the 13-game winning streak:
“I think win or lose as a team, our mindset is always get better the next day. We’ve tried our best to learn from wins over the past couple of weeks, but now we have to learn from a loss. But I think the most important thing was that we were going to learn regardless, because we knew that there were things we were gonna have to improve heading into the next game, so the mindset stays the same.”
On turnovers and transition defense issues on Monday:
“I think we turned the ball over a lot, first and foremost, and also we were fouling a lot and put them at the line about 30 times. With our live ball turnovers, got them out in transition.”
On the offense becoming stagnant:
“I liked some of the looks, but I also think we were pretty stagnant. There’s definitely things that we can learn from. Especially with our approach when we start the game and with the way we start the half, I don’t think we did well and I don’t think I did well, either.”
On Wembanyama’s MMA move on him:
“Whatever you saw is what you saw.”
On seeing Luka Doncic’s effortless game early in his career:
“Just seeing how effortlessly he did everything, it really made me question myself. I had to do all this work just to be in this position.”
On learning through experience:
“The biggest experience you get is actually going through things.”
"Of course our fans brought it. They always do. Of course they lived up to the expectations and exceeded them. We didn't do our job to give them something to cheer for after the game."
On the need for starting the game and third quarters better:
“You knew they were going to come out with a sense of urgency and a sense of desperation. We should have started the game off better. We should have started the third quarter off better. So, you know, back to 0-0.”
On failing to play the game that fueled the 13-game streak:
“Didn’t do what got us 13 straight wins in a row. That’s how you lose a game. We didn’t do what we’ve been doing for 13. We decided to do something different, and it ain’t going to work.”
On the Spurs earning it and the Knicks not doing their job:
“They were great. But we didn’t do our job.”
On rejecting officiating as the reason for the loss:
“Nah, that ain’t what cost us the game. Turning the ball over didn’t do what got us 13 wins in a row. That’s how you lose a game. We didn’t do what we did for the 13, we decided to play differently, and it ain’t gonna work when you’re throwing the ball away. It’s a clear indication of how you’re going to lose the game, especially in the playoffs.”
On letting MSG fans down in Game 3:
“Of course our fans brought it. They always do. Of course they lived up to the expectations and exceeded them. We didn’t do our job to give them something to cheer for after the game.”
On ignoring skeptics about his shooting ability early in his career:
“I worked on my game. When I was younger, that wasn’t something that was supposed to happen. You’re laughed at. You’re told, ‘What are you doing? You’re wasting your time. You’re never going to make it to college doing that.’”
On walking his own path to the NBA:
“A lot of people are going to tell you, ‘No,’ what they think you need to do to make it to the NBA, to do all these things. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to walk on your own path, write your own story. And that’s what I did.”
On receiving praise from former doubters:
“People come back to me and give me all the congrats and congratulations and all this love for something they didn’t help with; they told me to do the opposite. So, that’s how life always goes. Everyone’s got an opinion until someone actually does the work.”
“Offensively, we got a little stagnant. We just gotta keep moving and spacing. They just played harder than us, more physical. It starts with me defensively. I think I did a bad job defensively. They scored a good amount of times when I was in in the beginning. And throughout the game, I think, really, for me, it starts with defense and feeding off that.”
On needing to respond in Game 4:
“We gotta be better. I gotta be better for next game. We’re gonna be all right. We’re gonna regroup and learn from our loss.”
On Wembanyama’s defensive impact on the game:
“His length is unmatched and he’s got good IQ. It definitely causes trouble. He’s DPOY for a reason.”
"They're a great team, as well. They weren't just going to lay down. All we can do is move on and learn from this and take it as adversity and just respond to it."
“They’re a great team, as well. They weren’t just going to lay down. All we can do is move on and learn from this and take it as adversity and just respond to it.”
On the Knicks not being connected defensively in Game 3:
“We weren’t as connected as we normally are. We had some mental mishaps and allowed some easy buckets.”
On transition defense slipping in Monday’s loss:
“We weren’t as connected as we normally are. We had some mental mishaps and allowed some easy buckets, and also our transition defense wasn’t what we wanted it to be.”
On failing to handle the constant stoppages and stunted rhythm:
“Yeah, the stops and go, and all the fouls, that’s just how the game went today. I guess so. I guess it affects the rhythm, but we just have to deal with it. Every game is different. Some games there’s no stoppages and some games there’s a bunch. So we just have to respond and be professional and be ready to go.”
"I feel like we didn't get enough stops to win the game. We get stops, we play our basketball, and you're not worried about makes and misses."
Josh Hart talks about the Knicks learning from tonight's loss and their struggles defensively down the stretch: pic.twitter.com/ni0BpC3OXl
“It doesn’t surprise us at all. They were down 2-0. You knew they were going to come out with a sense of urgency and a sense of desperation. We should have started the game off better.”
On learning from Game 3 regardless of result:
“There’s a couple shots that didn’t fall that we had good looks on. I feel like we didn’t get enough stops during the game. We get stops, we play our brand of basketball, and you’re not worried about makes and misses. Like I said, we’ve got to learn from it, watch it tomorrow. At the end of the day, whether we won or lost, we’re going to do the same thing. Watch tomorrow, get better and prepare for the game on [Wednesday]. Same mentality.”
On Brown’s steady demeanor as head coach:
“He’s not too high, not too low. He allows himself to be coachable in the sense of listening to other coaches and players. He has our input instilled into what we do. He’s been the same all year long. That’s what you want as a coach; you don’t want him to get too high or too low. He has a real comfort in his role.”
"We wanted to come out here and punch them first and do that. I think the turnovers were just a big part of where we messed up tonight."
“They came out, they made adjustments, they were more physical. They kicked our ass and we’ve gotta bounce back. We gotta look in the mirror and get better and we’ll do that. I feel good about knowing we can clean some things up. We’ll be better in Game 4.”
On Spurs’ paint game:
“They were really physical early. They played really fast. Got into the paint far too much for our liking. They were really aggressive. Castle had 18 points when I looked up at some point in the first half, so he had it going. Harper was getting into the paint. Fox. Wemby was catching lobs.”
On sticking to the process despite missing threes:
“Great process, got some great looks, had a few that were down and out. Process over outcome. I’m more upset about some of the things defensively that I’ve been priding myself on. I had a few possessions where I didn’t do my job like I needed to. That’s fixable. Sometimes the gods give you in and outs and the ball doesn’t go in.”
On the Garden atmosphere in Game 3:
“The city was crazy, you could feel it from Mars, I’m sure. New York was buzzing. A lot of energy. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a win from the home fans, but we’ll respond and we’ll be better.”
Jose Alvarado (6’0”) takes Wembanyama (7’4”) one on one and beats him for the swish; he also collapses the defense and extracts a foul off the ball on a he Spurs. A career highlight for Jose. pic.twitter.com/zxaxSg3mC2
On what pushed the Spurs to their first Finals win:
“The simple things. Game plan execution, starting in the right spots, early communication, good switching… and then just working through the possessions.”
On expecting a strong performance from Wembanyama:
“I don’t think any of us are surprised or expect anything different than strong performance and him being on his front foot in terms of attack mode”
On playing collectively and making strides offensively:
“I thought we made some strides in terms of ball movement, playing with our teammates, setting screens… I just thought we were in attack mode, but also as a collective group.”
"Wemby's international…they play dirty overseas…If I watch film & see Wemby throw somebody on my team, next game I'm gonna pop him so hard…After y'all watch film what he did to Jalen Brunson…you better make sure you put that knife in his neck…next game"
“I guess. I’m nowhere near Trae Young level, though.”
On the MSG atmosphere compared to playing home:
“At home it really feels like playing six against five. Here it feels like five against six. … It really shows what teams are made of.”
On Stephon Castle’s maturity on the roster:
“Steph’s role? He might be the most mature player on our team. And he’s nowhere near the oldest. He’s shown over and over again he’s capable and that we are right to put our trust in him.”
On trying to relax during the playoffs:
“I really tried to relax. The playoffs, it’s like … a whirlwind. It’s hard to put your head out of the water. Sometimes I don’t even go to watch the game back right away. I need some time off, let my brain cool down, recover. Recover as much for the body as for the mind.”
“I still feel like we haven’t really done anything.. obviously it feels good to win, especially on the road… we’re just looking forward to the next 48 minutes.”
On his last-second three and beig aware of the clock:
“Getting ready to go crash and try and rebound. At that point in the game, I feel like you gotta be alert and know the clock.”
De'Aaron Fox says that the difference for the Spurs in Game 3 versus the last two games was being able to sustain their high-level play and bouncing back quicker after New York runs: pic.twitter.com/TlI0urDnzQ
“Being able to sustain the high-level play and bouncing back quicker after New York runs.”
Charles Barkley:
"I think the Knicks are reverting back to the way they played too much Brunson eccentric. When they were blowing out teams they were getting KAT involved more. They didn't use KAT at all tonight" pic.twitter.com/UepKaJOYPG
On defending JB during the Fox altercation in Game 2:
“I’m always gonna be a father first. But at the end of the day, if there was any other player, I’d do the same.”
On the surreal nature of his son’s rise:
“It’s crazy to me. I never envisioned, you know, to this level.”
On remembering the 1999 Finals run:
“I remember like it was yesterday, being here in ’99 trying to win a championship. But now it’s more exciting for me as a father to see your son on the stage and performing.”
On the perception of his relationship with Jalen:
“People may think just because he pushes me a certain way that we don’t say things to each other. But I wouldn’t trade anything for the world.”
On keeping Jalen confident regardless of results:
“I don’t rate Jalen on if the ball goes in or not. It’s just taking the right shot, taking his shot. Just try to keep him confident.”
Stephen A Smith on Jalen Brunson:
"I'm shocked to have to say this…tonight it looked like he was playing to be an MVP rather than be playing to win game 3" pic.twitter.com/ot0r0JBTqq
“This president has no business showing up in New York City. I am dead serious. It is selfish. It is narcissistic. It is ridiculous that he is coming to this game. This is not a football stadium in some space in Texas where you got a whole bunch of outlays. This is [Madison Square] Garden. This is midtown Manhattan. Do you have any idea what the congestion is going to be like in New York City?”
ESPN anchor Pat McAfee pricelessly referred to former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg as “some very rich guy” after the billionaire was nearly crushed in the crowd when Knicks guard Jose Alvarado leapt into the stands chasing a loose ball.
“Alvarado’s sitting on some very rich guy,” McAfee joked on the alternate broadcast of Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
“Oh, that’s Mayor Bloomberg!” he quickly added after realizing who the courtside fan was.
Pat McAfee said Knicks guard Jose Alvarado is “sitting on some very rich guy” — former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. ESPN
Front-row tickets to the game at Madison Square Garden Monday night were selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
“That’s one of the founders of Bloomberg Business I believe, he was the mayor, I believe he’s worth a billion or two, and just had Alvarado in his lap.”
Bloomberg is in fact the richest person in New York City, with an estimated net worth over $100 billion.
“Sitting on some very rich guy.”
“Oh, that’s Mayor Bloomberg.”
“I think he’s worth a billion or two.”
Not even close.
Michael Bloomberg is the wealthiest person in New York City.
In fact, he’s worth more than just about everyone at the game combined.
After Alvarado landed directly on the 84-year-old billionaire in his courtside seats, he could be seen chatting with Bloomberg to make sure he was ok, and the former mayor seemed in good spirits, even flashing a thumbs-up at a referee who came by his seat to check on him.
Comedian and Knicks fan Dave Chappelle even walked over from his own courtside seats to check on the ex-politician, who was seated right near Yankees legend Derek Jeter and former Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
On Tuesday, Bloomberg had a cheeky response to the run-in with Alvarado.
“Great to meet NYC’s homegrown star, @AlvaradoJose15. But next time, Jose, just call me. Let’s go Knicks!” he wrote on X.
On Monday night, the most powerful man in the world crashed a citywide celebration 27 years in the making and almost shut it down, with barricades around midtown Manhattan, security lines outside Madison Square Garden and agents wanding Victor Wembanyama as if the San Antonio Spurs phenom were a threat off the court as well as on it. And when Donald Trump finally arrived for his grand entrance, it was in a half-mile-long motorcade. Anyone taking in the scene couldn’t help but ask the quintessential New York question: who does this guy think he is, some kind of big shot?
At this point in Trump’s presidency, it’s fair to wonder if he got into politics for the free tickets. On a night when he could’ve been dealing with far more pressing issues – soaring living costs, war with Iran, a global economy under strain – Trump flew to New York expressly to watch the Knicks play host to their first NBA finals game since he started making noises about running for office someday; he evidently couldn’t turn down the game after being invited by “numerous people.”
Monday’s trip to the NBA finals came amid a stacked sports calendar for the president during his second term that has seen him appear at everything from the Super Bowl to college wrestling championships. This weekend he will even turn the White House South Lawn into the staging ground for a UFC card on his 80th birthday. There’s no doubt Trump is a sports fan – the zero-sum contests, the dominant athletes, the spectacle of it all. But that’s not the real pull for him.
The point is social hierarchy. Sports makes that legible. The farther you are from the action, the lower you are in status – unless, of course, you’re watching from a suite, where you either have connections or are the connection. When Trump went to Knicks games in his pre-presidential days, he sat courtside between his second wife, Marla Maples, and the actor Elliott Gould. The Garden’s celebrity row was a glitzy club where he fit relatively comfortably – unlike the US Open, where New York’s old-money gatekeepers still treated him as a headline-chasing arriviste.
Becoming president changed the geometry. He was no longer just another celebrity; he was the axis around which the event now had to revolve. When Barack Obama attended basketball games during his time in office, he picked his spots, stayed out of marquee moments and tried to avoid turning the night into a logistical nightmare. He sat courtside, posed for selfies and dapped up players and coaches. The intention was always the same: don’t upstage the game.
Trump does the opposite. Sporting events are not so much something he attends as something he encroaches upon, reshapes, and absorbs into his own image – more of a black hole than a true-blue fan. He makes them fodder for political memes. Game 3 wasn’t just a high school revenge moment, his night to tell the hometown haters who counted him out after his federal conviction on 34 felony counts in May 2024: “Look at me now, bigger than ever.” It was also meant to double as a PR victory over a league that has long functioned as one of his most visible cultural antagonists.
Before Monday’s game, Knicks players tried to downplay the impact the president’s attendance would have; only center Mitchell Robinson, a proud owner of a Trump flag, didn’t really bother. “He’s welcome here,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said on ESPN before tipoff. “What makes sports so special, especially when there’s so much that divides people, is it’s something we have in common. We should look for those things and build off that.”
It was a marked retreat for a league that once had a far more adversarial relationship with Trump – one defined by the president’s public insults aimed at LeBron James, the rescinding of a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors after Steph Curry opted out of celebrating the 2017 championship, and a broader political rupture during the player-led protests that followed George Floyd’s killing. But Silver’s comments underscore how fully the sports world bows to the Very Important President now.
That reverence was on display at MSG on Monday night. Before games, the Knicks distribute a VIP list to the press to identify who’s who – but Trump wasn’t included. Why would he be? The Very Important President looms well above such formalities. He doesn’t sit courtside next to Spike Lee and Tina Fey (Can’t risk the optics of seating a convicted felon too close to Law & Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni, after all). He watches from on high alongside Knicks owner James Dolan, from a suite encased in plexiglass shielding with extra security. But just when it seemed Trump had won the status game, the damnedest thing happened: the party passed him by.
The real juice wasn’t inside the plexiglass suite with the president, Trump’s granddaughter Kai, secretary of the interior Doug Burgum and Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff. It was down on the floor with Jay-Z, Derek Jeter and former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel – somehow both in the middle of the scene and easy to miss. It was with the Knicks crowd that endured the long lines and booed the president when he appeared on the big screen during the national anthem. For all of his clout, the Very Important President couldn’t compete with the star power.
The true gravity came from a matchup that felt as big as Ali-Frazier at MSG in 1971 or any of Michael Jordan’s signature nights. That it ended with the Knicks suffering their first loss in a month and a half gave the night a whiff of folklore. If they go on to lose the series, the Bernie Madoff curse may have to make room for the Trump jinx. There was another annoyance for fans who ponied up a few months rent for game tickets only to be delayed by all the security checks on Monday: social media images appeared to show Grandpa Donnie napping during the game. All that security theater, all the midtown revelry disrupted for something he could have done at home or on the plane – and for far less taxpayer money.
In the end, Trump got what he wanted: a prime seat for one of the hottest events in sports, attention under a harsh spotlight, and his place at the center of a league that once defied him (even if he couldn’t totally insulate himself from fan hostility). But this NBA finals foray proved the folly of his lifelong quest to be seen as the ultimate VIP. No matter how much the Very Important President inserts himself into the spectacle, it always – always – diminishes him.
The Knicks did not play well in Game 3, and Charles Barkley wants Mike Brown’s comments to start and stop there.
After the Knicks’ 115-111 home defeat Monday, the Knicks’ coach called out the referees, saying “I never thought I’d be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free-throw attempts to another team’s eight.”
The Knicks were outshot 32 to 22 at the free-throw line, including 24 to eight in the second half, but the “Inside the NBA” crew apparently didn’t want to hear all of that.
Mike Brown was shocked about the free-throw discrepency. NBAE via Getty Images
“Well, he should’ve stopped at, ‘We didn’t play well,'” Barkley said postgame after the Spurs cut their series deficit to 2-1. “They did not play well enough to win the game. The Spurs outplayed them tonight. Referees are going to miss some calls, that happens. Officiating did not lose this game tonight.”
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 9, 2026
“When I was good enough to lead my team to the Finals, one time I had a bad game and Phil Jackson said, ‘What’s wrong?’ and I said, ‘We didn’t get no calls.’ He put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘World champions don’t complain.’ And he walked off. Mike Brown knows better,” Shaq said.
“He’s won with the Warriors, he knows what it takes to win a championship. I agree with Chuck. You didn’t play well. You should have played better at home.”
Charles Barkley implored the Knicks to not complain about officating. NBAE via Getty Images
Draymond Green added that the referees usually side with the more aggressive team, and Victor Wembanyama controlled the physicality of the game by getting multiple alley-oops to start the game.
“I blame the Knicks for that,” Green said. “If you’re aggressive. If you’re not letting him roll to the rim, then they’re not penetrating and getting to the basket, then they’re not getting more foul calls.”
Jalen Brunson was hit in the back of the head by Wembanyama in the first quarter, which even the ABC/ESPN broadcast said should have resulted in a flagrant foul.
The Spurs have received more free-throw attempts in each of the three Finals contests, though Game 3 was the widest margin to date.
San Antonio is 64-for-84 at the line in the NBA Finals after hitting 25-for-32 attempts Monday, while the Knicks are 50-for-61.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 12: Hannes Steinbach #6 of the Washington Huskies is guarded by Aleksas Bieliauskas #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the third round of the 2026 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 12, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Editor’s note: You likely have noticed we continued this series past 10th, where the Bucks’ first-round pick landed. With rumors that they were operating as if they’d have multiple picks—not necessarily firsts—in this draft at the combine, we’ll continue it for a couple more days until we reach 18th. Why? Two teams have two picks in the teens: Oklahoma City has 12 and 17, while Charlotte has 14 and 18. If the Bucks trade down from 10 for multiple selections, these seem like the likeliest spots.
Hannes Steinbach was one of the few draft prospects whose team didn’t make it to March Madness this year. Despite putting together a league-leading rebounding season, averaging 11.8 per contest, his Washington Huskies finished 16-17 and missed out on an at-large bid. His team didn’t play any high-stakes, nationally televised games or wrestle with the nation’s elite for coveted championships. Therefore, Steinbach’s dominance flew under the radar for most of the season.
With all that said, it’s still very difficult to miss Steinbach’s imposing build, a body that allows him to grab boards at an absurdly high rate. Steinbach stands at 6’9” barefoot (around 6’11” in shoes) and has a 7’3” wingspan. He has solid weight to complement his large frame, but still boasts surprising bounce and agility. Steinbach seems genetically predestined to grab boards, and he has a really solid, league-ready frame.
Steinbach is also a pretty polished scorer on the inside. He averaged 18.5 PPG at Washington while converting around 70% of his attempts at the rim, per Barttorvik.com. He has a good touch off the glass and post moves that go beyond simply getting downhill and dunking. He’s completed some exciting reverse layups, Euro steps, baby hooks, and tough finishes through contact. Because Washington was one of the worst perimeter shooting teams in D1 basketball, Steinbach frequently attracted double teams on the block, which he navigated impressively. His outside shooting is a work in progress, but it’s still something to build on. He shot 34.0% from three on low volume, but he has steady form and pacing on his shot. It seems like something that he will build on at the next level, to be sure.
The best part about Steinbach’s game is rebounding. High-motor bigs willing to do the dirty work of boxing out and grappling for boards are in high demand (especially for the Bucks, one of the worst rebounding teams in the league). His frame and strength allow him to fight for positioning, but he also understands angles. He doesn’t blindly fling himself towards the glass on every shot; he is just as calculated and precise when it comes to rebounding as he is physical and relentless.
In the league, NBA teams will value his screening ability and lethality on pick-and-rolls. They will also value his underrated ball-handling and ease on the perimeter. He isn’t a three-level scorer, but being able to operate outside the paint to complete pick-and-pop actions or make connecting passes will be a big plus for the team that drafts him.
Steinbach’s biggest negative is his lack of rim protection. He doesn’t block many shots as you’d hope when you account for how tall and physical he is. Additionally, although he can play above the rim, he’s not an elite leaper, and he lacks true NBA center size. Thus, when he wasn’t paired with a solid shot-blocker on defense, Steinbach struggled to contest shots at the rim. He relies heavily on the strength and high motor evident in his rebounding, but his worth in the NBA may plummet when you consider his ‘tweener profile. He’s a tad too small to guard dominant centers, but too clunky to guard smaller, more mobile power forwards.
Finally, many aspects of Steinbach’s game remain untested. We aren’t sure whether his outside shot will continue improving in the NBA. We don’t know whether he has the vision to make connective passes and use his pull to find open teammates (1.6 assists to 2.0 turnovers per game at Washington). There are several factors that may hold Steinbach back from his high-percentile NBA outcome as a hard-nosed, traditional center, but his elite rebounding gives him a comfortable floor.
To conclude, Steinbach is a very real option for Milwaukee at the 10th pick. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie noted that Steinbach is indeed being considered by the Bucks’ brass. If Milwaukee prioritizes rebounding, physicality, and frontcourt depth, Steinbach could emerge as one of the more intriguing options when they’re on the clock at 10.
Vote on the next poll on who should go with the 17th draft pick?
Knicks alum Stephon Marbury didn't mince words while reacting to Spurs center Victor Wembanyama's early shove to New York guard Jalen Brunson in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
Stephon Marbury didn’t mince words while reacting to Spurs center Victor Wembanyama’s shove to Knicks star Jalen Brunson in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
Marbury — who spent five seasons with the Knicks in his 13-year NBA career and played nine seasons in the Chinese Basketball Association — went off in an Instagram video that the Knicks “better put that knife in [Wembanyama’s] neck” in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
“Wemby is an international, they play dirty overseas just so you know,” Marbury said after San Antonio’s 115-111 road win over New York to cut the series lead to 2-1. “We’re not used to playing dirty in America the way how Wemby just now threw Jalen Brunson.
“Now If I’m watching film and I see Wemby throw somebody on my team… the next game I’m gonna pop him in his rib cage so hard with my elbow that he’s going to fall and drop to the ground and he’s going to wish he never put his hands on me.
“So next game, I guarantee you, after y’all watch film what he did to Jalen Brunson… you better make sure you put that knife in his neck. That’s where it’s at,” said Marbury, a three-time champion, a seven-time All-Star, and a one-time Finals MVP in the CBA.
Knicks alum Stephon Marbury reacted to Spurs center Victor Wembanyama’s early shove to New York guard Jalen Brunson in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, 2026. Instagram/Stephon MarburySpurs center Victor Wembanyama shoved Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in the first quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, 2026. X
More Coverage on the Knicks during the 2026 NBA Finals
“… [Wembanyama] said he was going to come in and win Game 2. He did exactly what he was supposed to do. So make sure you take know and next game you bring that same energy, alright?”
Brunson fell to the ground when Wembanyama shoved him hard with two hands in the first quarter.
Brunson confronted the Frenchman on the court as the Spurs’ Stephon Castle held him back.
After the game, Brunson was asked what happened with Wembanyama during the play — and whether the level of physicality bothered him.
“No, to answer your second question,” Brunson said. “And whatever you saw is what you saw.”
It wasn’t the only scuffle that occurred in the first quarter.
Knicks guard Josh Hart was assessed a technical foul for shoving San Antonio’s Luke Kornet after a made basket, which cut the Spurs lead to seven points.
The Knicks hadn’t lost a game in about a month and a half. But after a 115-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, New York has a lot to think about.
Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 32 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Spurs took control of the first and third quarters, behind strong play from Victor Wembanyama (32 points) and Stephon Castle (23 points). The Knicks still have a 2-1 series lead, but the Spurs might’ve created some momentum.
With a quick turnaround for Game 4 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, here are three thoughts to marinate on for the next two days.
Alien in the paint
To make this a series, San Antonio needed its superstar Wembanyama to step up. The 7-foot-4 big man was a dominating force from the jump, recording 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks.
Wembanyama got behind New York’s defenders in the pick-and-roll and caught several lobs during the contest. He was aggressive and decisive, scoring 14 points in the restricted area. Wembanyama set the tone for San Antonio in this game and it helped drive the Spurs to a win.
New York kept Wembanyama’s forays to the paint in check through the first two games. In San Antonio, the Knicks’ physicality from help defenders prevented him from those easy looks. Monday night was a different story.
It’s not an easy task, but for the Knicks to get back in the winning column, they can’t allow as many easy opportunities for Wembanyama.
Stuck in mud
San Antonio’s defense was aggressive all night in Game 3. That physical, switch-heavy defense has worn on the Knicks, causing the offense to become stagnant at times. New York had 18 assists, but also finished the game with 13 turnovers, which led to 21 Spurs points.
The assist number was New York’s lowest of this year’s playoff run. The last time the Knicks tallied under 20 assists was a 109-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 of the first round. That was New York’s most recent loss before Monday.
The lack of flow and ball movement the Knicks played with affected two players in particular, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. Towns was a featured piece in New York’s first two wins. Game 3 saw the big man fade to the background, scoring just 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting. More telling was the one assist Towns had. Bridges was limited to just two points on 1-for-5 shooting, as he struggled to recover from two quick fouls in the first few minutes of the game.
The Knicks are still navigating how to attack a Spurs defense that switches constantly and keeps Wembanyama by the basket to contest any shots near the basket. New York’s playoff turnaround has come largely from moving the ball, which should be a point of emphasis going into Game 4.
The efficient OG
Not all was dour. OG Anunoby was New York’s best all-around player in the loss. The Knicks’ elite two-way player had 28 points on 9-for-13 shooting, five rebounds and two blocks in Game 3.
He scored in a variety of ways on Monday. He hit some tough threes, had a dunk over Wembanyama, and a nice spin around Castle into a stuff. The performance continued a strong playoff run for Anunoby. In 15 postseason games, the Knicks’ demon is averaging 19.9 points on a spicy hot 57.4 percent from the field, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks.
Defensively, Anunoby has been impressive. This game saw Knicks head coach Mike Brown go to a center-less lineup for the first time in the series. In that alignment, Anunoby is the center on defense. He defended Wembanyama for a short period and was effective as a small-ball five. With the Spurs looking to intentionally foul Mitchell Robinson, we could see more of Anunoby at the five going forward.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 5: A photo of Mason Plumlee #45 of the San Antonio Spurs jersey before the game against the New York Knicks during Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Down 2-0, the San Antonio Spurs put on a tremendous defensive game to beat the New York Knicks 115-111 in Madison Square Garden Monday night.
Former Blue Devil Mason Plumlee again got a DNP, but that’s not unexpected at this point.
The Spurs showed a lot of heart and their defense was radically better, but it was still barely enough to win this game. New York has really been on a magical run. Their ball movement has been as good as we’ve seen in the NBA in a long, long time. The Spurs managed to disrupt it significantly, which was a real accomplishment.
After some rocky play in the first two games, Victor Wembanyama was a real challenge for the Knicks, racking up 32 points, pulling down 8 rebounds, passing out 6 assists, and blocking 3 shots. Toss in 2 steals, and it was quite a night.
We’ve wondered for years why young big men aren’t knocking on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s door and asking for Skyhook lessons.
If anyone could turn that into a deadly weapon, it’s Wemby. It would be virtually unblockable.
San Antonio was much better down the stretch in Game 3 than they were in either Game 2 or Game 1, but the Spurs are still much less reliable in winning time than New York. The Knicks lost this one, but they’re playing brilliant basketball. It won’t be easy for San Antonio, a much younger team, to match that enough to win the series.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 08: Andre Drummond #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a three-pointer during Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s something to be said for a guy that just has impeccable vibes.
After an enjoyable four months back in 2021-22, the Sixers brought back Andre Drummond in the 2024 offseason to be the Joel Embiid backup capable of eating a lot of regular season innings to help the workload. It got off to a disastrous start, with Drummond looking just as injured and slow as the broken down Embiid he was meant to alleviate.
A player option all but guaranteed the Sixers would be stuck with Drummond for another season, but like the franchise itself, Drummond’s 2025-26 campaign was a refreshing bounce back. Important numbers for him like his rebounds per game jumped from 7.8 to 8.4 a night and he got his block percentage back up to two percent. He looked competent again in matchups that weren’t able to put him into too much space.
While his scoring continued to decrease, dropping from 7.3 to 6.4 points per game, the only big addition to his game came on the offensive end of the floor. After flirting with it in the preseason a year prior, Drummond started taking and making corner threes.
As a career 48% free throw shooter, the big man slowly tweaked his form over his career to at least shoot a respectable mark from the stripe. It turned out he put in enough work to step out to the corner and drill the occasional three when the defense left him alone.
It went about as well as it possibly could. Drummond making 35% of his 1.4 threes a game helped him make more three-pointers this season than all of his previous years in the NBA combined. In fact he blew past that number in December.
On top of just being a more productive player than a season ago, there seemed to be a big lift in spirit from the fact that Andre Drummond is making threes now. Fittingly, it cultivated with him blowing the roof of Xfinity Mobile Arena in a postseason game as he drilled a dagger three to seal a win over the Orlando Magic in the first round of the Play-In tournament. It didn’t even matter that his three at the finish of the third quarter in Game 6 against Boston didn’t beat the buzzer — the building was once again deafening as the Sixers were storming towards another big win.
Always a pretty jovial guy, Drummond started to bring his dog, Bob Marley, to the podium for his postgame press conferences. As the year went on, he requested the Sixers DJ to play “Buffalo Soldier” after a made basket of his.
Andre Drummond brought his dog, Bob Marley, to the game and sat with him at the podium during his post game press conference pic.twitter.com/8MdVFTQca5
The energy Drummond brings to the game combined with the importance of his role decreasing made the second season of his contract a lot more enjoyable. The contributions he put up made you smile, and going into his second year, Adem Bona was supposed to be the more serious option as the backup center. For those reasons it was a lot easier to stomach the nights he couldn’t keep up with the competition any more.
Drummond’s inability to hang in tough matchups did become a problem for the Sixers. Both he and Bona had their struggles in the playoffs against Boston before being woefully outmatched by the New York Knicks. It’d be a tough sell to try to bring Drummond back as the Sixers desperately need to nail the back end of the roster with not a lot of cap space to do so.
If Drummond has played his last game as a Sixer, his tenure should be remembered fondly. Simply by being able to hit a corner three now and again, he still contributed way more than many of those who came before and technically after him as Embiid’s primary backup. Odds are, he probably put a smile on your face in the process.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 15: Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Round Two Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2026 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves are potentially on the lookout for a major upgrade to the roster this offseason, which could mean a blockbuster trade is in the works.
If the Wolves are going to make a big trade, they are going to have to part ways with one of their better players on the roster, which could be Jaden McDaniels. Bleacher Report contributor Zach Buckley listed McDaniels as a trade target “nobody is talking about.”
“He is a player virtually any club would covet, since he can contribute to winning right now but also shows enough flashes to think there could be a lot more in his offensive arsenal by the time he peaks,” Buckley wrote of McDaniels.
“The Wolves would prefer not to lose him, but if they’re serious about getting Edwards more help, they may not have another option. Getting a needle-mover requires giving up something good, and as far as the Timberwolves’ trade chips, McDaniels is clearly as good as it gets.”
The Wolves are in a championship window, but they don’t need to sacrifice their entire future just to hit on the next two years or so. That would be a disservice to all of the work they have put into building this roster since 2020 when the team selected Anthony Edwards with the No. 1 overall pick.
Edwards is still only 24 years old and has likely not even hit his prime yet. In order to compete with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama for many years to come, the Wolves have to surround Edwards with young talent, much like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs have done.
The Wolves can be aggressive in trades this offseason, but it shouldn’t come at the price of McDaniels or Naz Reid, because that might end up resulting in a step or two back rather than forward.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 117-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have proven to be a good team over the last several seasons, but they still aren’t quite at the championship level they aspire to be.
Coming into this past season, it seemed like the Cavs’ goal was to win now while also keeping their runway as long as possible. That changed drastically when they sent out former All-Star point guard Darius Garland for a decade older James Harden.
Instead of staying committed to the two-timeline approach, the Cavs have pushed all of the chips to the middle for this current group. Or at least, they’ve pushed almost all of their chips in.
Evan Mobley is a crucial piece for the Cavs. He’s their best defensive player and has the skills to grow into an elite offensive big. The question is, do the Cavs have time for him to grow into his potential offensively, or would they be better served with a better, more polished player who could elevate this group more now?
The Cavs would have plenty of options if they decided to move Mobley. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Williams, and even someone like Jaylen Brown are all plausible players the Cavs could get in return for Mobley.
The downside would be age and team control. Someone like Giannis effectively only has one more year left on his current contract. Moving Mobley for a possible one-year rental is a huge risk.
So, would you trade Mobley for a short-term upgrade if this was your call? Let us know in the survey below, and tell us why you voted the way you did in the comments.
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
First and foremost, I want to apologize to the community for missing my Game 2 article; it wasn’t because the last 10 seconds made me want to throw up (though that certainly was the case); rather, it was because my two young kids have been sick and spent the weekend throwing up on me. In any case, I couldn’t be happier to return to action in a game where the Spurs corrected the main thing that plagued them in Games 1 and 2: poor execution down the stretch. On top of that, this game produced a box score laden with several interesting quirks. Let’s review:
Note: Now that we’ve moved into the postseason, the reference period used for grading changes from the set of regular season games since 2012-2013 to the set of postseason games since 2012-2013. Unless otherwise noted below, this set DOES include play-in games. As of the end of June 8 2026, this group include 1,204 games.
Factors that decided the game
The Spurs and Knicks traded off some important box score wins with respect to offensive opportunity, though in the end this trade favored San Antonio. First, New York recorded 3 more defensive boards and six more offensive rebounds, which (all else equal) should have secured them a solid edge in offensive opportunity. However, They did have five more turnovers, which dampened that edge significantly. Furthermore, the Knick’s turnovers were costly, as the Spurs crushed them on points off turnovers (21 to 7).
From an efficiency standpoint, no team racked up a massive advantage in any one area. The Spurs were slightly better from the field, with FG% and 3P% differentials of +0.97 and +0.16 percentage points, respectively. However, New York’s FT% margin was +3.69 percentage points.
While less efficient, the Knicks outscored San Antonio by three from the field on the back of better volume, including four more total shot attempts and three more threes.
Given this advantage from the field for the Knicks, this game was ultimately decided at the free throw line. New York only committed two more fouls than San Antonio, but the timing and type of those fouls was much worse (which largely reflected San Antonio’s aggressive offense). As a result, the Spurs got to shoot 10 more free throws, and ultimately outscored the Knicks by seven from the charity stripe.
Rare Box Score Stats
The Spurs became just the ninth postseason winner since 2012-2013 to have at least 10 more assists than their opponent and win by no more than four points. Typically, a victor with an assist margin at least as good wins by 20 or more.
Contrary to what Mike Brown would have you believe, the Spurs FTA margin in this game wasn’t wildly out of the ordinary; in fact, nearly 18% of postseason winners (213 of 1,204) have had a FTA differential at least as good since 2012-2013. However, the Spurs did accomplish this feat while only logging two fewer fouls than New York. Only 36 of 1,203 (a bit more than 1 in 33) other postseason winners during the period have enjoyed 10+ more free throws than there opponent with so narrow an edge in fouls.
San Antonio became the 46th postseason winner since 2012-2013 to make fewer field goals and threes than their opponent.
It’s relatively rare for a postseason winner to really struggle on the offensive glass while handily winning the turnover battle. In fact, San Antonio became just the 48th postseason winner since 2012-2013 to have an ORB differential no better than – 6 and a turnover differential of – 5 or better.
Wemby’s great games seem to nearly always coincide with a box score combination that is extremely rare. In this case, he recorded just the 10th playoff performance since the 1996-1997 postseason that included 32+ points, 8+ rebounds, 6+ assists, 2+ steals, and 3+ blocks.
What are Team Graded Box Scores?
Very briefly, these box scores grade winner-loser differentials for basic box score statistics, with the grade being based on the winning team’s differential relative to other NBA winners during a defined reference period. Think of it like a report card for understanding how a given winner performed relative to other winners. The reference period used runs from the start of the 2012-2013 season to the latest date of play, including only games in the same season category (i.e., regular season and playoff games are not compared to each other).
Data Source: The underlying data used to create these box scores was collected from Basketball Reference. In all cases, the data are collected the morning after the game is played. Although rare, postgame statistical revisions after data collection do occur and may affect the results after the fact.
Police descended on the Bryant Park around tip-off time in an effort to control the crowd of over 7,000 who gathered for the Knicks watch party, arresting 21 people for offenses including assault on a police officer, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.
Five NYPD officers were injured in the fracas.
Fans fight outside of a watch party at Bryant Park for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs on June 8, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images21 people were arrested for a variety of offenses, including assault on a police officer, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration Getty Images
Eight fans were taken into custody and charged and 13 were released with criminal court summonses.
Cops said a large crowd of people “took over” 42nd Street and refused to disperse, blocking vehicle traffic and causing a significant backup in the area.
The crowd engaged in “incredibly reckless behavior” including violent fights that resulted in multiple injuries.
Some threw glass objects at each other and police officers, and ripped bus signs and trees out of the ground to throw them.
Meanwhile, wild footage shows crowds of Knicks fanatics screaming and ferociously tearing apart jerseys with the 7-foot-4 Spurs star’s name on the back.
NYPD officers detain a person as they move back New York Knicks fans outside of a watch party at Bryant Park for Game 3 of the NBA Finals between New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on June 8, 2026. Getty ImagesDozens of enraged Knicks fans surrounded a Spurs fan on the streets and tore apart his Victor Wembanyama jersey from his back after Monday night’s squeaker loss in Game 3. X / @NICHETONOTABLE
“Take it off! Take it off!” members of the crowd can be heard yelling as the jersey was torn into rags while onlookers cheered.
In another similar scene, a large group of men yanked a jersey from the back of a fan who was helpless to fight back against the horde.
Last night’s regularly scheduled watch party outside Madison Square Garden was canceled on the day of the game due to heightened security concerns after it was announced President Trump would be attending.
Tip off for Game 4 at the Garden is set for 8:30 Wednesday night in the Knicks’ first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.
