The San Antonio Spurs had all the pressure on them in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, taking on the New York Knicks inside the famous Madison Square Garden with thousands of Knicks fans screaming in support. And yet, it was where the Spurs appeared the most comfortable and at home.
San Antonio defeated New York Monday night, 115-111, despite trailing 2-0 in the series and losing both games at home. Victor Wembanyama recorded 32 points with eight rebounds, six assists, two steals, and three blocked shots in the win, which saw six Spurs players score in double-figures.
Fox struggled for most of the night, but hit arguably the biggest shot of the night when the Knicks were attempting a last comeback, making a 16-foot jumper from the foul-line under pressure to put the Spurs up 113-108 with 12.2 seconds remaining.
The level of comfort the Spurs displayed in Game 3 is something they've been displaying time and time again throughout this postseason, when they won Game 3 on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers without Victor Wembanyama, when they closed out the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road in Game 6, and when they won Game 7 against the defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder to advance to the NBA Finals.
“It's just trying to ease yourself into the game,” De'Aaron Fox said of the Spurs comfort level playing on the road. “Obviously, we know that being on the road, being in an environment like this, it can get really hectic and we talk about how poised our team has been. We've been a pretty good road team, I think, just all of the playoffs and a majority of the regular season. That's why we're in this position. But we find a comfort in playing on the road, knowing that when you're in this environment, it's us versus them and obviously mostly everybody in the crowd. When you know that, everybody behind you has your back, it just allows you to settle into these games.”
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De'Aaron Fox on San Antonio's mindset heading into Game 3 of the NBA Finals last night:
"We find a comfort in playing on the road…"
SAS (1-2) NYK Game 4: Wed, 8:30pm/et, ABC pic.twitter.com/WhqeUcURRR
— NBA (@NBA) June 9, 2026
The Spurs won Game 3 despite a 32-point night from Jalen Brunson and a 28-point eruption from OG Anunoby.
With the win, the Spurs have at least forced a Game 5 back at home in San Antonio. Game 4 of the NBA Finals is set to tip off on Wednesday night at 8:3OPM EST on ABC. If the Spurs find a way to win that game, the NBA Finals will be tied heading back to San Antonio, where Spurs fans will be itching to watch their team win a game.
The San Antonio Spurs had all the pressure on them in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, taking on the New York Knicks inside the famous Madison Square Garden with thousands of Knicks fans screaming in support. And yet, it was where the Spurs appeared the most comfortable and at home.