Do the Spurs have a real shot at the NBA title after Game 3 win over Knicks?

For two games, the NBA Finals felt like they were drifting toward a foregone conclusion. The New York Knicks had ripped through the postseason, carrying a 13-game winning streak into Game 3 and building a 2–0 series lead that made the matchup seem like a coronation in progress.

But, then Game 3 happened. The San Antonio Spurs’ 115–111 win at Madison Square Garden didn’t just put them on the board in the series. It fundamentally changed the tone of the Finals. For the first time, the idea of a Spurs comeback no longer seems like it could be possible.

Are the Knicks in trouble? What Game 3 revealed

The Knicks are still up 2-1, and they only lost the game by four. But beyond the score, this potential shift in momentum can be better understood by looking at how the game unfolded.

San Antonio didn’t steal one with unsustainable shooting or a miracle finish. Instead, the Spurs demonstrated a repeatable formula. Victor Wembanyama looked every bit like the best player on the floor, controlling the game with a 32-point performance that blended scoring, timing, and poise. Rookie Stephon Castle added a crucial 23 points, and the Spurs as a whole played with a level of composure that had been missing earlier in the series.

Perhaps most importantly, they fixed their biggest problem. In Games 1 and 2, San Antonio struggled to close. Late-game execution faltered, possessions stalled, and the Knicks consistently made the smarter, sharper plays when it mattered most. In Game 3, that script flipped. The Spurs executed with purpose down the stretch, attacking the rim, getting to the free-throw line, and avoiding the mistakes that had doomed them before.

That last point is critical when projecting the rest of the series. If a team’s win depends on an outlier performance, it’s difficult to trust. But if it comes from correcting identifiable issues like shot selection, late-game decision-making, and defensive discipline, then that’s something that can carry forward.

At the same time, the Knicks suddenly look more human than they have at any point this postseason. This was the first loss since April 23, nearly two months, but it wasn’t just the loss itself. It was the way it happened. New York still showed flashes of its dominance, including a 42-point quarter that briefly seized control of the game. But the sense of inevitability that defined their playoff run wasn’t there in the final minutes. The late-game edge that had become their identity slipped just enough to open the door.

That doesn’t mean the Knicks are in trouble though...not yet. They still lead the series 2–1, still have home-court advantage, and still possess the deeper, more consistent roster. Even after Game 3, they remain the likely favorites in the eyes of oddsmakers, who tend to weigh overall sample size more heavily than a single result.

But the gap has narrowed. Before Game 3, the conversation centered on how quickly the Knicks might close out the series. A sweep or a five-game finish felt plausible. Now, the question is how long can this go, and who benefits if it does?

That’s where the Spurs’ outlook becomes especially interesting. San Antonio now has proof of concept. When Wembanyama asserts himself early, when the supporting cast contributes, and when the team avoids late-game breakdowns, they can beat New York, even on the road, even under pressure. That combination transforms them from a team hoping to extend the series into one that can realistically envision winning it.

Still, the path remains narrow. Falling behind 2–0 means there is little margin for error, and the Knicks’ consistency over the course of the playoffs cannot be dismissed. For the Spurs to complete a comeback, they would likely need to replicate their Game 3 formula multiple times while hoping the Knicks don’t rediscover their closing dominance.

So does this loss mean the Spurs are now likely to come back and win the championship? Not quite. But it does mean the Finals are no longer leaning in one direction.

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