Wembanyama's 32 Points Lead Spurs Past Knicks, NBA Finals Series 1-2

(Central News Agency, New York, 8th – Combined Foreign Reports) In the NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs, led by star player Victor Wembanyama's 32 points, secured a crucial first victory against the New York Knicks with a final score of 115-111. The Spurs currently trail the series 1-2, but this win gives them a chance to keep their hopes alive as they return home.

Game 3 of the NBA Finals was held at the Knicks' home court. U.S. President Donald Trump appeared at Madison Square Garden in his hometown of New York to watch the game, marking the first time a sitting U.S. president has attended an NBA Finals game. The Spurs, who had lost two consecutive games, started the game with Wembanyama making two consecutive dunks.

Wembanyama scored 32 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, had 3 blocks, and 6 assists in this crucial game. Stephon Castle also contributed 23 points, and the team had six players scoring in double figures. Knicks star Jalen Brunson also scored 32 points, particularly leading the team's offense in the fourth quarter when the Knicks' offense was struggling. OG Anunoby also had an impressive 28 points.

In the first game of the Finals at the Knicks' home, the Spurs maintained a lead of about 7 points in the first quarter. However, with just over three minutes left, Knicks forward Josh Hart fell after a collision with Spurs' Luke Kornet. After getting up, he immediately shoved an opposing player, leading to a heated moment. Hart was assessed a technical foul. After Julian Champagnie hit a three-pointer, the Spurs led 33-22 at the end of the first quarter.

The Knicks fought back in the second quarter, led by Anunoby. After a Spurs timeout, the game remained close. Brunson then hit a three-pointer to give the Knicks the lead, drawing a huge roar from the home crowd. With Brunson and Hart working together, the Knicks not only tied the game but also took a 64-57 lead into halftime, completely dominating the quarter with a 42-24 score.

In the first half, Anunoby led the Knicks with 17 points, while Brunson and Hart combined for 28 points, which was key to their comeback. Castle led the Spurs with 18 points, while De'Aaron Fox, who was expected to be a key scorer, had a poor performance with only 4 points.

In the third quarter, the Spurs, fueled by Champagnie's aggressive play, closed the gap within just one minute. A defensive foul called on Brunson further helped the Spurs quickly cut the deficit to within one possession. Both Wembanyama and Brunson had surpassed 20 points by this point. The Spurs, with Harper and Champagnie combining to recover the lost points, entered the fourth quarter with a one-point lead.

Wembanyama started the fourth quarter with a dunk, but subsequent attacks by both teams were unsuccessful. The Knicks didn't score until more than three minutes into the quarter. Wembanyama then hit a huge three-pointer that seemed to widen the gap, but after a Knicks challenge, the referees overturned the call, ruling a Spurs foul, and the game remained tight.

In the final five minutes, Wembanyama extended the lead with dunks and free throws. Although Brunson scored consistently for the Knicks, they always trailed by about five points. The Knicks' final attempt at a foul strategy failed, and the Spurs, after two consecutive losses, finally secured their first win of the Finals, ending the Knicks' 12-game playoff winning streak this year.

The Spurs, whose starting lineup averages under 23 years old, previously defeated the Knicks in the 1999 Finals. Although they currently trail the series 1-2, they have finally earned a chance to return home and keep their hopes alive. The Knicks, who last won a championship in 1973, are aiming for their third title in franchise history. Game 4 of the series will also be held at the Knicks' home court in New York. Notably, the visiting team has won all three games of the Finals so far. (Editor: Qu Xiangping) 1150609