The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 120-105 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, 2026, extending their series lead to 3-0 and moving within one victory of their first championship since 1970. The game aired on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden, marking the first NBA Finals game at the iconic venue since 1999.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 26 points in the home victory, while OG Anunoby contributed 17 points. The Spurs’ Stephon Castle scored a team-leading 18 points in the losing effort. The win extended the Knicks’ playoff winning streak to 13 consecutive games.
The return of the NBA Finals to Madison Square Garden after 27 years carried historic significance for the franchise. According to ESPN, Monday marked the Knicks’ first time hosting an NBA Finals game while leading in the series since 1973, when they won their most recent title. The atmosphere at MSG reflected the magnitude of the moment, with the game drawing widespread attention as New York fans filled the arena.
The Knicks’ dominant run through the postseason has been built on consistent performances from their star players and strong team defense. After winning both games in San Antonio to take a 2-0 series lead, the team returned home with a chance to move one step away from ending a 53-year championship drought. The Spurs, seeking their first title since 2014, now face the challenge of mounting a historic comeback from a 3-0 deficit.
With the 3-0 series lead secured, the Knicks can clinch the championship with a victory in Game 4. This matchup marks a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals, when the Spurs defeated the Knicks 4-1 in a series that remains a defining moment in San Antonio’s championship history. The 2026 Finals have proven to be a reversal of that outcome, with New York controlling the series from the opening game.
Sources
- ESPN — Game 3 box score, final statistics, and series context showing Knicks’ first Finals home game while leading since 1973
- ABC/ESPN — Live broadcast and coverage of Game 3 at Madison Square Garden
- Yahoo Sports — Game preview, final score, and 1999 Finals series history
- USA Today — NBA Finals coverage and viewing information
- The New York Times (The Athletic) — Game coverage and Madison Square Garden atmosphere
- NBC Sports — Live game updates and final score reporting
