Victor Wembanyama tallied 32 points, leading the San Antonio Spurs past the New York team 115-111 in the NBA Finals on Monday, ending the Knicks' 13-game winning run while President Donald Trump was jeered as he observed.
The French player Wembanyama recorded eight rebounds, six assists, three blocked shots, and two steals at Madison Square Garden as the Spurs narrowed the Knicks' advantage to 2-1 in the seven-game final series.
We have fulfilled our responsibilities, but the task is far from complete," said the 22-year-old Wembanyama. "We're still not even half-way through. The toughest part is ahead of us.
An energetic audience generated a thrilling ambiance for the initial NBA Finals match held at Madison Square Garden since 1999.
This involved fans booing Trump, the first active president to watch an NBA Finals match, as he appeared on the video screen inside the venue.
At home, it truly feels like playing six against five," said Wembanyama. "Here, it seems like playing five against six, but... it really highlights what teams are composed of.
Enhanced safety protocols for Trump's presence resulted in supporters being required to arrive two hours prior to game start, as well as the cancelation of a viewing event near the venue.
The Spurs were aware that no team had ever secured an NBA playoff series victory following three consecutive losses, which motivated them after costly mistakes in the final moments led to a defeat at home in Game Two.
Fewer errors, greater control," stated the 7-foot-4-inch (2.24-meter) Wembanyama. "It's the small details. We took it more seriously. Fewer mistakes. Fewer turnovers.
Stevon Castle scored 23 points for the Spurs, with Dylan Harper contributing 13 points as a substitute.
He possesses excellent composure," Wembanyama remarked about Castle. "It's difficult to express just how important he is to our team.
Jalen Brunson was the top performer for New York, scoring 32 points, with OG Anunoby contributing 28 more. However, the Knicks struggled offensively, making just 40 out of 88 shots overall and connecting on only 13 of their 37 attempts from beyond the arc.
"Communication and arriving early were strengths of the defense," stated Wembanyama.
The Knicks' winning run ended just one win short of the NBA playoff benchmark of 15 victories set by Golden State during their path to the 2017 championship.
‘They fouled, too’
Head coach of the Knicks, Mike Brown, expressed dissatisfaction with the referees' decisions, yet acknowledged that the Spurs performed better than his squad.
"They secured the victory. They arrived and claimed the win," Brown stated.
But I'll admit this: I never expected to be in the NBA Finals and witness a team receiving 24 free throws in the second half compared to just eight for the opposing side.
It's hard to come back from when facing an excellent squad.
Perhaps we committed fouls. However, they did as well. There were chances for fouls to be called in an effort to balance the free throw situation.
A three-point shot from the castle put the Spurs up 111-104 with 1:53 left on the clock.
Anunoby scored from the free-throw line, while Brunson hit a three-point shot, but De' Aaron Fox drained a crucial jumper with 12.2 seconds left to put San Antonio ahead 113-108.
Anunoby scored a three-point shot to narrow the gap to 113-111, but Castle secured the win with two last-minute free throws.
"Just I assumed we were on the offensive," said San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson.
We demonstrated greater composure at certain moments. I believed we concluded the match with areas needing refinement, yet we were more solid than in the previous two games.
The fourth game will take place in New York on Wednesday.
The San Antonio Spurs aim for their sixth NBA championship and their first victory since 2014, whereas the New York Knicks have secured their sole championships in 1970 and 1973.
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