NEW YORK – The New York Knicks' historic 13-game playoff winning streak came to an abrupt end on Monday night at Madison Square Garden, as the San Antonio Spurs secured a 115-111 victory in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The defeat, marking the Knicks' first loss in 46 days, cut their series lead to 2-1, transforming what many anticipated as a potential sweep into a competitive championship battle. The Wall Street Journal captured the sentiment, tweeting, > "A magical winning streak finally stops on a rowdy night at Madison Square Garden. Is it a speed bump—or is it time to worry?"
The highly anticipated Game 3, the first NBA Finals contest at MSG since 1999, saw the Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama's dominant 32 points, overcome a seven-point halftime deficit. Wembanyama, along with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, delivered crucial performances to silence the raucous home crowd. Knicks star Jalen Brunson contributed 32 points, and OG Anunoby added 28, but their efforts were not enough to extend the remarkable streak.
The Knicks' 13 consecutive playoff wins had been the second-longest single-postseason streak in NBA history, generating immense excitement and a "Knicks In Four" mantra across New York City. However, uncharacteristic turnovers and a late-game surge by San Antonio ultimately sealed their fate. The atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden was further charged by the presence of President Donald Trump, a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan, who received a mixed reception from the crowd.
Despite the loss, the Knicks maintain a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series, with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday night back at Madison Square Garden. The defeat prompts questions about whether this is merely a "speed bump" for a team that had been on a "fairytale story" run, or if it signals a shift in momentum for the San Antonio Spurs. The series now promises heightened drama as the Knicks look to rebound and the Spurs aim to even the score.
