NBA Daily Roundup: June 9, 2026 — The Spurs Strike Back in the Big Apple
The San Antonio Spurs refused to go quietly. Facing a 2-0 series deficit and a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd hungry for a Knicks coronation, Gregg Popovich’s young squad dug deep and stole Game 3 of the NBA Finals with a gritty 115-111 victory. The win not only breathes life into this series but also serves notice that New York’s 2-1 lead is far from safe. The Spurs, led by a masterful fourth-quarter performance from their rising star backcourt, flipped the script on a Knicks team that had looked unstoppable through the first two games in San Antonio.
The standout act belonged to Devin Vassell, who poured in 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including a dagger step-back three with 1:17 remaining that silenced the Garden faithful. Victor Wembanyama added a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double and swatted three shots, altering the geometry of the Knicks’ offense in the paint. For New York, Jalen Brunson fought through relentless double-teams to drop 33 points and 8 assists, but costly turnovers down the stretch — including a crucial leak-out steal by Spurs guard Tre Jones — proved fatal. The Knicks shot just 4-of-16 from deep in the second half, a stark contrast to their rhythm in Games 1 and 2.
The series implications are seismic. San Antonio now hosts Game 4 on their home floor with a chance to even the series, and the pressure shifts squarely onto the Knicks’ supporting cast. Julius Randle, who managed only 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting, must rediscover his aggression, while the Knicks’ bench — a strength all postseason — was outscored 31-19. If the Spurs can continue to force Brunson into isolation and neutralize New York’s three-point attack, this series could look very different in 48 hours. History also whispers: teams that go up 2-0 have a sterling record, but the Spurs have now stolen home-court advantage and the momentum.
What to watch for next. Game 4 tips off Saturday night in San Antonio, and all eyes will be on the Knicks’ adjustments. Will Tom Thibodeau lean into a smaller lineup to stretch the floor? Can the Spurs’ defense maintain its ferocity without fouling? And perhaps most importantly, can Wembanyama stay out of foul trouble — he picked up his fourth early in the third quarter — while still anchoring the paint? One thing is certain: the NBA Finals are now a series. Buckle up.