NBA Finals Game 3 takeaways: Victor Wembanyama thrives from adjustments, Knicks need more Karl-Anthony Towns

The Spurs were right there at the end of tough losses in Game 1 and Game 2. They finally pulled it out in Game 3, beating the Knicks 115-111 in a game that New York absolutely had a chance to win to extend their lead to 3-0. Instead, they'll carry a 2-1 advantage into Game 4 on Wednesday. 

The Knicks had clawed to within two points with nine seconds remaining in Game 3. Stephon Castle hit two clutch free throws at that point though, making it a two-possession game and robbing Jalen Brunson of the ability to make yet another clutch play.

No lead has felt safe for San Antonio, which held a seven-point lead with under two minutes remaining before a furious Knicks late run. But the Spurs played well enough through the entire game, never panicking even when they were down by seven at halftime. 

The Spurs looked like they were in control coming out of that break. They made some adjustments throughout the entire 48 minutes that gave them just enough of an edge to get past a Knicks team that also played at an extremely high level. 

Here's how the Spurs took down Game 3, and how the Knicks might counter for Game 4. 

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Five takeaways from Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals

The Spurs figured out how to get Victor Wembanyama the ball inside

Karl-Anthony Towns had outplayed Wembanyama through the first two games of the Finals. The Spurs had no shot of winning the series as long as that happened.

Wemby easily gained the upper hand in Game 3, putting up a monster line of 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals.

That explosion wasn't on Towns, who continued to guard Wemby pretty well in one-on-one situations. Rather, it was the Spurs making some adjustments against what was a very aggressive Knicks defense that had been bumping Wemby on his rolls to the basket in order to keep him out of the paint. 

During the first two games of the Finals, Victor Wembanyama has rolled 47 times as the screener in pick actions. At least one of New York's off-ball defenders has tagged Wemby on 27 of those rolls, allowing him just two touches on those plays and only one point. https://t.co/A4NC5Coif8 pic.twitter.com/HVCYrLQ30g

— Todd Whitehead (@CrumpledJumper) June 8, 2026

Wembanyama's shot diet changed considerably in Game 3. He took 12 shots in the restricted area, as compared to 11 in Game 2 and just seven in Game 1. Those shots closer to the basket led to a much better shooting efficiency. 

— ALL NBA Podcast (@ALLCITY_NBA) June 9, 2026

The Spurs were able to counter the Knicks' aggressive tagging strategy in a couple of different ways. They used multiple drive-and-kicks to get Wemby the ball when he was already under the rim, more double ball screens to get him deep seals, better placement of their players in order to manipulate the help defense, and this clever pass to take advantage of the Knicks' tendencies. 

Eyes tell lies. Beautiful pass from Castle. Tricked OG Anunoby, who had to be two places at once, by staring down the corner pass. pic.twitter.com/F3b5PkTcEz

— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) June 9, 2026

Wembanyama is too good of a player to stop. The Spurs began figuring some of these tweaks out in the second half of Game 2, and that continued into Game 3.

MORE: Where Wemby's Game 3 ranks in MSG's NBA Finals history

Karl-Anthony Towns had a quiet night

Towns had been the Knicks' most efficient offensive player in their two wins, scoring 18 and 21 points. He had just 11 on 4-of-10 shooting in Game 3. 

Towns still played well, but it wasn't the MVP caliber of performance that the Knicks have become accustomed to. The Spurs had a ton of success putting Castle on him and limiting his looks. 

— Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) June 9, 2026

Part of those issues weren't on Towns. The Knicks missed him on a number of open pick-and-pops (as pointed out by several excellent analysts, including Joe Viray and Mo Dakhil). The Knicks will surely look at that on film before Game 4 and try to get him the ball more in those situations. 

Stephon Castle showed up

I criticized Castle throughout the first two games for his lackluster offensive performance, calling him a weak link for the team. Along with his excellent defense, the ball finally started going down for him on offense. He had 23 points, repeatedly driving the ball and finishing at the rim with craft and strength. 

Castle also drilled some huge 3's. That shot has been all over the place throughout the playoffs. He was on fire through the first two rounds, shaky against the Thunder, and had a rough Game 1.

The Knicks are conceding those looks, so keeping them honest is important. He completely bailed the Spurs out of a bad crunch time possession by hitting the biggest shot of the game with two minutes left, earning an iconic Mike Breen "bang." 

Stephon Castle earns the biggest honor in sports: A Mike Breen bang call pic.twitter.com/SXHv44w2u9

— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) June 9, 2026

The Spurs need Castle because De'Aaron Fox continues to look hampered by his high ankle sprain suffered in the second round against the Timberwolves. Fox hit his own clutch dagger, a step back with 12 seconds left to get San Antonio's lead to five. But his speed hasn't been there, and he's clearly not at 100 percent.

MORE: Watch MSG's reaction to Donald Trump on video board

The Knicks are winning when they get Victor Wembanyama on the perimeter

Wemby's defense has been otherworldly in this series. The Knicks have had some success putting him in the blender and generating open 3's with multiple drive-and-kicks. He finally put his foot down and stopped a huge one in the fourth quarter in one of the most impressive sequences that you'll see. 

What a defensive sequence from the Spurs. pic.twitter.com/9QiYHAWWMn

— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) June 9, 2026

Landry Shamet isn't going to be able to blow by Wembanyama. But other, more skilled players have been able to do it. Wemby surprisingly hasn't been able to stay in front of Towns all series. And OG Anunoby drove right past him for a dunk in the exact same fashion as in Game 2. 

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) June 9, 2026

Even when Wemby hasn't been getting blown by, the Spurs have been very worried when he's been on the perimeter against Jalen Brunson. They've sent double teams, opening up shots for Brunson's teammates who have converted on those chances. 

The Wemby blowby problem shouldn't discount that his defense has been the reason why the Spurs have made it to the Finals and been competitive in every single game in this series. But it's something to keep an eye on. There's a constant war behind the scenes where the Spurs have tried to keep Wemby close to the basket, allowing him to drop into the paint and play a one-man zone whenever possible. The Knicks are constantly prodding and trying to exploit that strategy. They will continue to do so in Game 4.

MORE: All of the celebrities who attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals

Does home court advantage matter any more? 

Madison Square Garden was a madhouse on Monday. It didn't end up mattering, nor did the Spurs' crowd in Games 1 and 2. This isn't your father's home court advantage any more. 

The phenomenon of home court advantage declining in the NBA isn't new. What was once a 60 to 65 percent edge at home fifty years ago had shrunk to around 55 percent during this past regular season.

(4) Home court advantage in the NBA is far less significant than it used to be pic.twitter.com/y8whI5n25j

— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) May 6, 2026

Several reasons have been suggested for this. I agree with this one from Sportico's Lev Akabas. 

— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) June 9, 2026

No team with home court advantage has ever recovered from an 0-2 deficit in the Finals. The conditions are ripe for the Spurs to be the first ones to ever pull it off. They still are big underdogs, but it's not impossible any more.