The New York Knicks had the chance to turn Madison Square Garden into a championship launchpad, but Game 3 of the NBA Finals ended with a missed opportunity.
San Antonio won 115-111 to cut the series to 2-1, spoiling the Knicks’ first Finals game at MSG since 1999 and ending New York’s long postseason winning streak.
Donald Trump was there, another high-profile storyline on a night already loaded with noise. But it was New York native Cardi B who brought the halftime energy the home team could not match.
Cardi B NBA Finals performance
Cardi B delivered a short, sharp halftime show built for the building and the city. The Jumbotron first picked out dancers in orange Knicks jersey dresses, before the rapper was revealed sitting courtside behind them.
She then launched into ‘Bodega Baddie’ — a fitting New York choice for an NBA Finals night of such significance to the city, with the Knicks given the chance to move within touching distance of the Larry O’Brien.
The performance gave MSG a burst of life, but the Knicks could not carry that same force through the final stretch.
San Antonio controlled the fourth quarter, with the Knicks’ brutal Game 3 defeat also ending their shot at chasing down Golden State’s historic playoff streak.
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby the only Knicks to show up in Game 3
Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby were the two Knicks who truly met the occasion. Brunson finished with 32 points, while Anunoby added 28 on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting night.
The problem was that New York did not get enough around them. Karl-Anthony Towns was held to 11 points, and the Knicks were punished by San Antonio’s cleaner execution.
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks, while Stephon Castle added 23. San Antonio also had 28 assists to New York’s 18 and won the points-off-turnovers battle 21-7.
That was the difference on a night when MSG had every reason to explode. The Knicks had the crowd, the stage and the celebrity spotlight, but only Brunson and Anunoby consistently played like it.
A different energy will be needed in Game 4 if New York are going to take the next step toward the Larry O’Brien.
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