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00:00:00...that he's going to get a hedge by Karl-Anthony Towns.
00:00:02This pocket pass right here, he's going to get that whenever he wants.
00:00:06Now it's just a matter of taking your time, squaring it up.
00:00:09There's no way that Towns is going to really bother him on that contest with that kind of length.
00:00:1417 for Wemby, 7 assists for Fox.
00:00:17Now it's Keldon Johnson on Towns.
00:00:21Switches up on Brunson.
00:00:25Johnson moving his feet, Brunson gets past him.
00:00:27Brunson flips it up in the left hand.
00:00:29That won't go.
00:00:30And Wemby, the rebound in traffic.
00:00:31Here comes Farper.
00:00:32Spurs have numbers.
00:00:33Vassell lines up three-pointer.
00:00:35It's good.
00:00:36And then Vassell now in double figures.
00:00:39Spurs back on top.
00:00:42And Vassell pokes it away.
00:00:44And this is who the San Antonio Spurs are.
00:00:47They're a team.
00:00:47They were down 3-2 to the defending champion.
00:00:50They're down 2-0.
00:00:51They're down at halftime on the road in a crucial game.
00:00:54And what do they do?
00:00:55Do they come out and take control in this third quarter, Legs?
00:00:59That's a great push right there by Harper.
00:01:01The speed off the glass.
00:01:02Great outlet by Wemby.
00:01:04They haven't had too many opportunities with numbers in the open floor.
00:01:09Second-youngest team in finals history.
00:01:11Only the 777 Blazers.
00:01:15They don't play like a young team.
00:01:17As Adanobi drills another.
00:01:18He's 7 of 8 from the field.
00:01:20And the Knicks back up by one.
00:01:22Here comes Harper.
00:01:26Keldon Johnson drives on Brunson.
00:01:28Spins double-team and draws a foul.
00:01:30Good aggressive move from Keldon Johnson.
00:01:32It will result in free throws.
00:01:39That's Johnson calls Keldon Johnson the heart and soul of the team.
00:01:43You guys talked about it.
00:01:44Sixth man.
00:01:45He has not played well so far in the first two games.
00:01:48But a good aggressive move there.
00:01:51And right now on the other end of the floor,
00:01:53Mikael Bridges, who had 20 points last game,
00:01:56has only attempted one shot.
00:01:58Now he gets things through the flow of the game.
00:02:00But he's also got to figure out a way to get himself involved.
00:02:03Go to the NBA app for complete finals coverage.
00:02:05Live post-game press conferences with Brunson and Mignogna.
00:02:09And here the coaches, Brown and Johnson, gave three reactions.
00:02:12Download the NBA app now.
00:02:15Spurs missing free throws.
00:02:17As Ananobi grabs the rebound.
00:02:20Nick's lead remains one.
00:02:21That's tough for Keldon Johnson because that finally looked like him offensively.
00:02:25He's a very physical driver, but he's not able to cash in on the tail end.
00:02:30San Antonio's missed six free throws so far.
00:02:33Brunson to Hart.
00:02:34Corner three.
00:02:35Puts it up.
00:02:35Puts it in.
00:02:36Josh Hart.
00:02:37From Hart heroics here in game threes.
00:02:40Four of six from downtown.
00:02:42Towns.
00:02:44Man, how good have Ananobi and Hart been in this one?
00:02:48Ball knocked loose.
00:02:49Picked up by Towns.
00:02:56And a turnover.
00:02:57Bad pass from Brunson.
00:02:5811 turnovers for the Knicks.
00:02:59We'll take a timeout.
00:03:04Well, Josh Hart hasn't shot it well overall from the three in the postseason.
00:03:09But none of that matters when you're trying to close out a finals and get game three.
00:03:17The NBA Finals are brought to you by Universal Pictures, one night only, in theaters August 7th.
00:03:26Time for tonight's Google search, deep dive.
00:03:29Richard.
00:03:30And I was always taught, you can't make them guard you, but you can make them wish that they had.
00:03:36And their three-point strategy is to leave Josh Hart open, and he's making them pay.
00:03:41He knows that these are going to be uncontested shots, so he has an opportunity to tee him up without
00:03:47any stress.
00:03:48And he's looking for his shot, even after he struggled in the first couple of games.
00:03:52When you are at home, that basket looks a lot bigger, and he is shooting it with more and more
00:03:57confidence as the game goes on.
00:03:59You want to dive deeper into this or any NBA playoffs topic?
00:04:02Ask AI Mode and Google search.
00:04:04I swear I thought you were going to say you can't always get what you want and start singing a
00:04:08stone song.
00:04:08Oh, no.
00:04:09Live inside, Wembenyama, tough catch on the follow.
00:04:13How does he get that on the other side?
00:04:16Talking about, I don't even know if that's a quick jump as much as it is just a long arm.
00:04:20Oh, and their first second chance points of the game there, Legs.
00:04:26Seven, eight, that 19 now for Victor Wembenyama.
00:04:29Brunson pulls up, jumper, can't get it.
00:04:32Mitchell Robinson has come on.
00:04:34Harper back in the game with Johnson, Bissell, Castle, and Wembe.
00:04:39Long three.
00:04:40Nope, passes last second.
00:04:41Johnson gathers, lays it up and in.
00:04:43Great look from Victor Wembenyama.
00:04:45Unfortunate that Kelton Johnson was still looking because he could have just been going to crash as Wembe rose up.
00:04:51He took a look over his shoulder and was able to still finish that.
00:04:56Five assists for Wembenyama.
00:04:58Hart to Brunson.
00:04:59Castle right with him.
00:05:01He's attached to his hip.
00:05:03Brunson back out to Hart.
00:05:05Shot clock winding down.
00:05:06Hart gets in.
00:05:07Likes that fallaway shot.
00:05:08In and out.
00:05:09Wembe controls it beautifully.
00:05:11Important stretch for the Spurs because you know Wembe's going to get a blow here in a few minutes.
00:05:17Another long three-pointer.
00:05:18Lines it up and knocks it down.
00:05:21So smooth from long distance and it's a three-point Spurs lead.
00:05:27Brunson tries to answer.
00:05:29Cannot.
00:05:30Shamit.
00:05:31Kicks it back out.
00:05:32New 14 on the shot clock.
00:05:34And an OB.
00:05:36Robinson the offensive rebound.
00:05:41Brunson finds some room.
00:05:42Flips it up.
00:05:43Shot.
00:05:43Robinson on a follow.
00:05:46One of the great offensive rebounders in the NBA.
00:05:54And a foul.
00:05:55That shot will not count.
00:05:57It's going to be on Brunson.
00:05:59And that's four fouls on Jalen Brunson.
00:06:02The offensive rebounding has not been a big factor here tonight for either team.
00:06:07But you know Mitchell Robinson is always going to put this kind of pressure on you.
00:06:12If he has inside position, there's just no way you're getting him out of there.
00:06:17Again, Brunson just getting his hand caught in the cookie jar.
00:06:20And on the pass.
00:06:22He keeps holding on.
00:06:23He keeps holding on.
00:06:23But that's what's going on in the game.
00:06:25Right.
00:06:25It's a matter of when you get caught in that position.
00:06:28So four fouls with 429 remaining in the third.
00:06:32A decision from Mike Brown.
00:06:33One not to take him out.
00:06:34Looks like he's going to take him out.
00:06:36Alvarado and Clarkson set to check back in.
00:06:38Knicks in the penalty.
00:06:39That's why Harper will go to the free throw line.
00:06:42And let's watch these minutes now as Victor Wembenyama gets that blow I was just talking about.
00:06:48I know Mitch Johnson would love this group to be able to maintain this and at least play even with
00:06:54the Knicks here to close out this quarter.
00:06:57Harper now with nine points.
00:07:01Harper's on the best finals performance from a rookie.
00:07:03You know, Clyde Frazier, the Hall of Famer and former Knick champion, whenever there's a rookie that's aggressive, he likes
00:07:10to call them precocious neophytes.
00:07:13That is the perfect way to describe Harper.
00:07:16He just plays with such ferocity.
00:07:18Clyde's enjoying some fries right now on a very nice sport goal.
00:07:23Do you have one like that, Mike?
00:07:24No.
00:07:26Three points, first lead.
00:07:29Masell is guarding Shannon.
00:07:33And Shannon fouled by Vassell.
00:07:36Those two a little chatter, a little bump.
00:07:39Nothing there.
00:07:44But I don't agree with this.
00:07:46The whistle blows and then there's extra stuff.
00:07:50Okay, foul gets called.
00:07:53Okay, I'll allow that.
00:07:54And look, he's supposed to laugh.
00:07:56He's supposed to smile at it.
00:07:57That's just good competition, respectful competition.
00:08:04So, Mitchell Robinson, again, because they're in the penalty, going to be taken out of the game.
00:08:10Townsend.
00:08:11Mike Brown not allowing the Spurs to play the Hacker Mitch.
00:08:16Chance of Landry Shannon, the veteran who had a non-guaranteed contract in training camp.
00:08:22And he's been one of the playoff heroes for the Knicks.
00:08:26Alvarado on the drive.
00:08:28Double.
00:08:28Finds Clarkson, but threw it too low.
00:08:30Clarkson gets it back.
00:08:31Shot clock winding down.
00:08:32Clarkson lays it up.
00:08:33Shot won't go.
00:08:34The follow.
00:08:35It backs it home.
00:08:37Great second effort from Clarkson.
00:08:39Here comes Fox.
00:08:45Fox pulls back.
00:08:47Gassell plays catch.
00:08:50They throw in the corner.
00:08:52Keldon Johnson.
00:08:53Shammott steps in front.
00:08:54Johnson trying to overpower him.
00:08:56Shammott called for a foul.
00:08:58And it's going to be free throws again.
00:08:59Knicks in the penalty.
00:09:01So it makes it tough in a game like this.
00:09:04Because how many times do you see a player go and start to back a guy into the post?
00:09:09And there's a lot of contact that's taking place.
00:09:12And it seems sometimes they just are going to grab one of those and call a foul when we've already
00:09:18seen at least a dozen times tonight where guys are trying to get position down there and they're being stood
00:09:24up.
00:09:27Johnson hits the first tomorrow night ABC.
00:09:29Game four Stanley Cup final between Carolina and the Vegas Golden Knights.
00:09:33They lead the series two games to one.
00:09:36They tumble overtime victory in game three.
00:09:39Puck dropped for game four shortly after 8 Eastern.
00:09:42Sean McDonough or Ray Ferraro on the call of what has been a thrilling Stanley Cup final.
00:09:46We've got a thrilling NBA final.
00:09:50And Johnson misses.
00:09:52Clarkson tips it.
00:09:57This is a big three minutes.
00:09:59No Wimby on the floor.
00:10:00No Jalen Brunson.
00:10:02And another foul.
00:10:03All of a sudden.
00:10:03You get the feeling now they said maybe we should start calling this tighter.
00:10:07Because what you were saying legs true.
00:10:08There was so much clutching and grabbing.
00:10:10And now some stuff that didn't appear to be nearly as physical as these ones.
00:10:16And they're calling.
00:10:17I think that's why you see sometimes a surprised reaction.
00:10:20We'll look at the replay.
00:10:21And we're all probably going to go.
00:10:22Yeah, that's clearly a foul.
00:10:23But you see the reaction by the defender on some of these.
00:10:27They're saying, well, I've been doing that most of the night.
00:10:29And now they get called for it.
00:10:37All right, that's all Jersey.
00:10:39I don't think they've been pulling jerseys like that all night.
00:10:41But not like that.
00:10:41Not like that one.
00:10:43Johnson's second foul, by the way.
00:10:45And Anobi.
00:10:46Seven of nine from the field.
00:10:48He's hit a couple of threes.
00:10:49This is his first free throw.
00:10:51He was six for six.
00:10:56Harper, another double-figure game off the bench.
00:10:59Goes right at Towns.
00:11:00Lays that up and in.
00:11:02Right at the seven-footer.
00:11:03Man.
00:11:04Typically, these were going to be minutes where De'Aaron Fox has the ball to initiate.
00:11:08But right now, they've got so much confidence in Dylan Harper's ability to get into the paint.
00:11:13Towns takes the three.
00:11:14Drives inside.
00:11:15Layup missed it.
00:11:16Battle for the rebound with Cornette.
00:11:22Delvin Johnson goes right at Shammott again.
00:11:25Blocked by Towns.
00:11:26Taken away.
00:11:27Excellent double-team.
00:11:28Here comes Alvarado.
00:11:31Alvarado to the basket.
00:11:32Layup off the glass.
00:11:33Can't get it.
00:11:34Harper looks to push the other way.
00:11:42Harper goes at Ananobi.
00:11:43Pulls up.
00:11:44High arcing shot.
00:11:45Missed it.
00:11:46Cornette can't get it.
00:11:47Graves another rebound.
00:11:48And gets thrown to the floor.
00:11:50Hit the back of his head.
00:11:52And Cornette's going to take some free throws.
00:11:56Yeah, we'll take a timeout.
00:11:57Beautiful scene outside.
00:11:59The world's most famous arena for right now.
00:12:01The Spurs with a three-point lead here in the third.
00:12:05NBA Finals are a global event with this year's series being broadcasted in 214 countries and territories across 53 languages.
00:12:13Throughout the finals watch parties in Mexico City, Brazil, Canada.
00:12:19And in addition, NBA legends have joined the fans at viewing events across Asia, including Kevin Garnett in Seoul, South
00:12:25Korea.
00:12:25Stephon Marbury in Shanghai, the global game.
00:12:32Meanwhile, here at Madison Square Garden, one of the greatest of all time, Oscar Robinson, former Knick champion Bill Bradley.
00:12:41So many NBA legends at these finals as Cornette will go to the free throw line.
00:12:46Cornette, one of two from the line in the finals.
00:12:5082% during the regular season.
00:12:51It's a good free throw shooter.
00:12:52He endeared himself to the Spurs fans when he signed his free agent contract.
00:12:57He said, I want to be a third of the player Tim Duncan was.
00:13:01Those are lofty goals.
00:13:05Very, very lofty goals.
00:13:06He's actually a really funny dude.
00:13:08He's played for six teams, three years in the G League, won a ring with the Celtics as a backup.
00:13:13And everywhere he goes, the people talk about what a great teammate he has been.
00:13:18Part-time starter.
00:13:21And he gives the Spurs a five-point lead.
00:13:23A 12-point turnaround here in the third.
00:13:25Knicks rough seven.
00:13:27Towns, Alvarado.
00:13:29Across the lane, whips a pass in the corner.
00:13:31Shamit fires and hits.
00:13:34First points of the night for Shamit.
00:13:36And credit that to Alvarado.
00:13:38That's what happens when you put that kind of pressure on the defense.
00:13:41If you can collapse it from one corner, that opposite corner is going to be a threat.
00:13:46Castle up top, Champagny.
00:13:51Castle gets into the paint.
00:13:52Throws it cross-court.
00:13:54Back up top, Champagny.
00:13:55Clean look.
00:13:55Straight on.
00:13:56Knocks it down.
00:13:58Champagny with his third three-pointer.
00:13:59And it's back to five.
00:14:00I bet that find by Harper right there because I thought he was going to attack baseline.
00:14:04One more pass, you find Champagny who has shot it so well throughout the postseason.
00:14:12Clarkson guarded by Cornette.
00:14:14Wants to beat him off the dribble.
00:14:15Gets in.
00:14:16Quick release on the shot.
00:14:17Does not go.
00:14:18Fight for the rebound.
00:14:19Towns backs home the follow.
00:14:22And Carl Anthony Towns, after a little bit of a slow start, got a couple of buckets, starting to get
00:14:28his rhythm offensively.
00:14:29He's in double figures now.
00:14:31Champagny, quick release.
00:14:33That one won't go.
00:14:34Fight for the rebound.
00:14:35Towns lost it, but Alvarado right there to pick it up.
00:14:40Coming up in a minute remaining here in the third.
00:14:42Wonder if we're going to hear from Bridges.
00:14:44He just has not had any impact tonight.
00:14:46But this is an opportunity right now.
00:14:48Without Bronson, he's got to be more aggressive.
00:14:51Towns surrounded.
00:14:52Looking.
00:14:53Finds Clarkson.
00:14:54Shot clock winding down.
00:14:57Clarkson fires up a three.
00:14:58Oh, he knocks it in!
00:15:02A Hail Mary as the shot clock expired until the game is tied.
00:15:09Clarkson 10 points in 11 minutes off the bench.
00:15:13Defense!
00:15:15His first points of these finals.
00:15:18Defense!
00:15:19Harper comes right back and nails the three.
00:15:22Dillon Harper with 13.
00:15:24Two threes back-to-back by the Knicks.
00:15:27And how does this young Spurs team answer?
00:15:30They come back and do the exact same thing.
00:15:35Alvarado calling it out.
00:15:37Alvarado playing important minutes off the bench again.
00:15:41Bridges finds some ruin and knocks down the shot.
00:15:44His first points of the night.
00:15:45Only his second shot.
00:15:46He just had that foul trouble early.
00:15:49It took him out of his rhythm.
00:15:50I think they're going to need him in the fourth quarter to close this.
00:15:54No fouls to give.
00:15:55Harper looking.
00:15:56Harper firing away.
00:15:57Won't go.
00:15:58Towns knocked it loose.
00:15:59Picked up by Alvarado.
00:16:01And the third quarter comes to an end.
00:16:04Another close one as we head to the fourth here in these 2026 NBA Finals.
00:16:10Bench play so important.
00:16:14Miracle shot right here.
00:16:16Closed out by Champetti.
00:16:17He can't even believe it as he looks back at the rim.
00:16:21But this young fellow, he's not even a rookie anymore.
00:16:23This presentation of NBA Finals and ABC continues after this message and a word from our ABC stations.
00:16:33Welcome back to Madison Square Garden.
00:16:35Josh, it's a one-point game.
00:16:36It's been going back and forth.
00:16:38Just what's it going to come down to in the fourth quarter?
00:16:41We just got to have better attention to detail.
00:16:43We didn't come out the half how we should have.
00:16:46We didn't execute the first play.
00:16:48You know, we let them get a couple buckets.
00:16:50So we got to make sure we're focused, have attention to detail, and take care of the ball.
00:16:54Everybody in the building knows that they're going to be looking to Victor Wendell in the fourth quarter.
00:16:58How do you keep him from beating you?
00:17:00I mean, it's not just Victor.
00:17:02I think Castle has 18.
00:17:04Harper has 13.
00:17:06Champagny's been knocking down threes.
00:17:07So we got to make sure we defend the Spurs as a unit, communicate, get stopped, and play fast.
00:17:12All right.
00:17:12Thank you, Josh.
00:17:13Appreciate it.
00:17:14Mike.
00:17:14Thank you, Lisa.
00:17:15Now on Towns, his third on that entry pass to Wemby.
00:17:18Keldon Johnson out there with Castle, Fox, Lomignano, and Bissell.
00:17:23Ball poked away.
00:17:23Shot clock at six.
00:17:24Fox gets some room.
00:17:25Lines it up.
00:17:26Shot missed it.
00:17:27Rebound.
00:17:28And a loose ball foul is going to go against Bridges.
00:17:32So that's two quick team fouls again for the Knicks.
00:17:35Here to start the fourth.
00:17:37Here in game three.
00:17:38And these right now, these are the critical moments of a series.
00:17:42Moments that the great players dream about.
00:17:44That they put so much work in, so much sacrifice.
00:17:50Alley-oop to Wemby.
00:17:51Yama.
00:17:52Perfect pass from Castle.
00:17:53And a lead is up to three.
00:17:55And by the time, it wouldn't have mattered.
00:17:56I don't think because of how high that was.
00:17:58By the time Carl Anthony Towns turned around, that ball was already in the air.
00:18:02Alvarado tries to answer.
00:18:04Shamit hauls in the rebound.
00:18:05Kicks it back out.
00:18:08Brunson's on the bench with four fouls right now.
00:18:12Bridges drives on Fox.
00:18:14Lost it momentarily.
00:18:15Knocked out of bounds.
00:18:19And right now on this, Mikael Bridges slips.
00:18:22That puts everyone in a tough spot.
00:18:23And there's nothing you can do.
00:18:25If he's behind you, it's almost guaranteed.
00:18:29And they know.
00:18:29Look at the ball at the top of the square.
00:18:31Head at the rim.
00:18:33Yeah, that's just automatic.
00:18:3524 now for Wemby.
00:18:363.4 to shoot here on this possession.
00:18:41Pass goes inside.
00:18:42Quick shot.
00:18:43Clarkson.
00:18:43Tried to draw a foul.
00:18:45Castle comes away with it.
00:18:48Wemby thought about a three.
00:18:50Fox off the bounce.
00:18:51Gets inside.
00:18:52Shot blocked.
00:18:53Knocked away.
00:18:53But a whistle and a foul.
00:19:00So Alvarado will pick up his first.
00:19:04Brunson sits and waits.
00:19:05And you remember game two.
00:19:07Critical minutes out of their bench.
00:19:09Brunson and Towns were on the bench in that one.
00:19:12And they got some timely shot making from Bridges.
00:19:16Deuce McBride in that game.
00:19:18Landry Shamit.
00:19:19So they had a lot of guys step up while Jalen Brunson was getting his final rest of the night
00:19:24in game two.
00:19:24Our NBA final schedule.
00:19:27All games on ABC.
00:19:28All begin tip off shortly after 8.30 Eastern.
00:19:32Game four Wednesday right back here at the Garden.
00:19:35Game five if necessary.
00:19:36Saturday in San Antonio.
00:19:39In a 3-2-1-1-1 format.
00:19:43Knicks meanwhile.
00:19:44Three team fouls.
00:19:46In a minute and four seconds.
00:19:48I think it's important right here for the Spurs stay connected to Landry Shamit and Carl Anthony Towns.
00:19:54And forced penetration with Wemby on the floor protecting the rim.
00:19:58Alvarado calling for Clarkson.
00:20:01Clarkson behind the loss to handle.
00:20:03Picked up by Fox.
00:20:04Fox back.
00:20:05Deflected by Bridges.
00:20:06Great hustle from Bridges.
00:20:08As Alvarado dives into the stands.
00:20:11And checks with former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
00:20:15You never know who you'll run into at a Knit game.
00:20:21Check on.
00:20:23The former New York City Mayor.
00:20:25Seems to be okay.
00:20:26I'm good.
00:20:27I'm good.
00:20:28Thank you.
00:20:31And you hit on it.
00:20:32That's tremendous effort on the part of Mikael Bridges to get back and break that up after it looked like
00:20:37the Spurs had numbers momentarily in the open floor.
00:20:41Saved a layup.
00:20:43Nomming up the wet spots from the beverage spill.
00:20:47Box will inbound.
00:20:53Wemby against Towns.
00:20:55Drive spins.
00:20:57Kicks it back out.
00:20:58Shamit deflected out of bounds.
00:21:00Well defended by Towns once again.
00:21:04Wemby-Nyama is 10 of 15 from the field.
00:21:07He's hit a couple of threes.
00:21:08Seven boards.
00:21:08Five assists.
00:21:10And two blocked shots.
00:21:15That's to come all the way out to help out.
00:21:20Step back.
00:21:21Towns got a piece again on the way up.
00:21:22Shot clock winding down.
00:21:24Fox a three.
00:21:25Can't get it.
00:21:25Castle gets away from Bridges.
00:21:27Gets it.
00:21:27Shot blocked.
00:21:28And picked up by Bridges.
00:21:30Great help defense.
00:21:35How much longer is the Knicks going to leave Brunson on that sideline?
00:21:41Hard finds Bridges.
00:21:44Knicks offense a bit stagnant right now.
00:21:46A bucket could buy him a little more time.
00:21:49Bridges kicks it out to Shannon.
00:21:50Shannon fires away.
00:21:51That's going to be way short.
00:21:54Against just superb defense from San Antonio.
00:21:57Fox fakes.
00:21:58Fox drives.
00:21:59Surrounded.
00:22:02Wemby harassed by Alvarado.
00:22:05Castle fires away.
00:22:12Shannon wide open.
00:22:14Corner three.
00:22:15Can't get to the ball.
00:22:16Hart comes flying in but can't quite grab it.
00:22:18Fox tries to and saves it.
00:22:20Great hustle from Fox.
00:22:23And here's Kelvin Johnson.
00:22:24Alley up inside.
00:22:26Wemby gets it and fouled on the entry pass.
00:22:27But he'll shoot free throws again.
00:22:30Knicks in the penalty so early here in the fourth quarter.
00:22:38Nope.
00:22:39They're saying that the team.
00:22:40That's the team fourth now.
00:22:41They had up on the scoreboard four earlier.
00:22:45And Brunson's going to come in now.
00:22:51So it is just the team fourth foul.
00:22:53So it'll be a side out.
00:22:54Mitchell Robinson reports in.
00:22:57Townsend's going to get a breather.
00:22:59In an earlier than usual fourth quarter entry for Brunson.
00:23:02And now is when the fun begins for San Antonio's defense because it's always going to be a chess match.
00:23:08Jalen Brunson is going to get some possessions here where they're going to blitz and make him give it up.
00:23:12Other ones, they're going to let him play with the switch and operate against one defender.
00:23:17Can't penny on a drive.
00:23:19The runner comes up short.
00:23:20Ball tipped and taken by Bridges.
00:23:26Bridges has had a quiet offensive night.
00:23:28Castle in pursuit.
00:23:29Bridges pulls up.
00:23:30Elbow jumper.
00:23:31Can't get it to fall.
00:23:32Harper comes flying in for the rebound.
00:23:34He's got five boards to go with his 13 points.
00:23:38And I like getting Harper back on the floor.
00:23:41Game one.
00:23:41They went with De'Aaron Fox.
00:23:43I think Dylan Harper's the guy in the moment.
00:23:44And San Antonio spreads out the Knicks.
00:23:47End up with a layup on the back side.
00:23:49What a pass from Champagny.
00:23:52Now a seven-point lead.
00:23:56Brunson looking.
00:23:58Leans in with a right hand.
00:24:00Bank shot won't go.
00:24:01Mitchell Robinson with a tip.
00:24:02That's their first points of the fourth quarter.
00:24:05And how crucial is it that you can play Mitchell Robinson?
00:24:08The Spurs don't have any team fouls currently.
00:24:11So the hack of Mitch really isn't an option.
00:24:14Wemby back up top.
00:24:16Harper.
00:24:17Clean look.
00:24:18Three-pointer.
00:24:18Nearly backed it in.
00:24:20And a foul's going to be called on Mitchell Robinson.
00:24:29Up.
00:24:30They're saying it's on Mikael Bridges.
00:24:31My mistake.
00:24:32It was the wrap-up.
00:24:34And now they're in the penalty.
00:24:38That's one way to keep him from jumping.
00:24:41That's a fatigue play right there.
00:24:44That's almost an automatic foul.
00:24:46The arm up underneath the guy.
00:24:48And you understand you can relate in that position.
00:24:50But you've got to be smarter when you know that ball goes long.
00:24:53It's an automatic foul.
00:24:57Romagnana coming off that disastrous finish in game two with the turnover.
00:25:02Had a chance to win the game of the buzzer.
00:25:04Said he would come back and be better.
00:25:06And he has responded in a big way.
00:25:08Really has.
00:25:08He has settled his team.
00:25:09The start they had to this game, I think, was the start they needed to find themselves
00:25:14in position in the fourth quarter.
00:25:15But right now, you know, you're three minutes, just under four minutes into this quarter.
00:25:20And you're in the bonus.
00:25:21It's important for San Antonio to maintain an attacking style and not settle with the Knicks
00:25:28sending you to the foul line on any contact.
00:25:32Romagnana now four of five from the free throw line.
00:25:34It's back to seven.
00:25:40And a foul called.
00:25:41Castle.
00:25:42His third sarcastic kick from the Knicks fans.
00:25:48Meanwhile, Deuce McBride back in.
00:25:50McBride only played limited minutes in the first half.
00:25:59And again, just the first team foul for San Antonio.
00:26:06Brunson gets away from Castle.
00:26:08Now gets into the paint.
00:26:09Kicks it out in the corner.
00:26:10Hard.
00:26:10Corner three.
00:26:12Can't get it to fall.
00:26:13Keldon Johnson the rebound.
00:26:17Johnson's had seven points off the bench.
00:26:19Here for San Antonio in game three.
00:26:21Wimby, another long three.
00:26:23Count it out.
00:26:24A foul.
00:26:24Chance for a four-point play.
00:26:27Wimby holding his back a bit.
00:26:29What a shot.
00:26:30And Robinson commits to personal.
00:26:34And the Spurs go up by ten.
00:26:38Mike Brown's going to challenge it.
00:26:40He's saying that Robinson got pushed into it.
00:26:45Romagnana seems to be okay now.
00:26:47So a challenge by the Knicks.
00:26:49An important one.
00:26:53Did Keldon Johnson push him?
00:26:55Oh, he did.
00:26:57That looks like an extended arm.
00:26:59We'll see more on the other side.
00:27:04Watch party back at the Cross Bank Center right now.
00:27:07They're very happy.
00:27:12On review, it's been determined that Johnson pushed Robinson into the shooter.
00:27:17Therefore, this is a successful challenge.
00:27:19It will be changed to an offensive foul.
00:27:22Assess Johnson.
00:27:23Please reset the game clock to 746.
00:27:26New York will be charged with a timeout, and they have an additional challenge.
00:27:30And the basket doesn't count.
00:27:32That is an enormous turnaround.
00:27:34It would have been a ten-point lead with a free throw.
00:27:36Instead, it's a seven-point lead, and the Knicks get the ball.
00:27:42Knicks had a big challenge that was rewarded in game two.
00:27:46And the OG Ananobi three-point attempt.
00:27:50Castle now chasing Brunson.
00:27:52Brunson gets inside.
00:27:54Sidestep layup.
00:27:55Banks it in.
00:27:56Back to five.
00:27:57And that's Wemby right there.
00:27:58You've got to keep that ball contained when Jalen Brunson comes off that screen.
00:28:03He let him turn the corner on the sideline right here.
00:28:06If you're Wemby, you've got to cut that basketball off.
00:28:09And now, Jalen Brunson knows that's seven-foot-five in your rearview mirror.
00:28:19The assistant coach in charge of challenges is such a huge thing in the NBA.
00:28:24Jordan Brink has done a marvelous job, and that was a huge one.
00:28:27As Wembenyama here on this play, you can see the push from Kelton Johnson.
00:28:32And again, an unbelievable turnaround.
00:28:36Robinson, right away, was saying, hey, he pushed me.
00:28:41To a five-point game.
00:28:43Well, it's seven and a half remaining.
00:28:50Harper, Fox, Bissell, Champagny, and Wembenyama.
00:28:56Harper to Fox.
00:28:58Good look for three.
00:28:59Too strong.
00:29:00Wembenyama tips it and lost it out of bounds.
00:29:02He thought he was held by Towns.
00:29:05And they're going to challenge because they can challenge the out-of-bounds.
00:29:10Yeah, they could say there was a foul prior to that.
00:29:14Wembenyama right away looked over to the bench and asked for a challenge.
00:29:19There's the play.
00:29:21Got the right arm.
00:29:23Right hand on his arm.
00:29:24That looks like that'll be overturned as well.
00:29:50That looks like that'll be overturned as well.
00:29:53Hey, let's go.
00:29:55Make it hot.
00:29:57Come on.
00:29:58Let's go.
00:30:00Rock.
00:30:00Rock.
00:30:01Say what?
00:30:01Rock.
00:30:02Let's go.
00:30:03Everybody gets low.
00:30:05Rock this party.
00:30:07Dance, everybody.
00:30:08Make it hot in this party.
00:30:10Don't stop.
00:30:11Move your body.
00:30:12Rock this party.
00:30:14Dance, everybody.
00:30:15Make it hot in this party.
00:30:18Everybody gets low.
00:30:20Don't know what's on your mind.
00:30:22Come free of a good time.
00:30:24Be why you want you in slime.
00:30:26Be why you shake your behind.
00:30:37The replay official has determined there's a proximate foul to the out-of-bounds decision
00:30:41as Towns grabs Wembe's arm.
00:30:44Therefore, this is a loose ball foul.
00:30:47Wembenyama will shoot penalty for two free throws.
00:30:52To clear challenges that absolutely needed to be overturned.
00:30:57There you see Towns.
00:30:59Watch that right hand.
00:31:02Just grab his right arm.
00:31:05And again, because they're in the penalty, as Towns picks up
00:31:08his fourth foul.
00:31:11Wembenyama will shoot the free throws.
00:31:13And we talked about Jordan Brink with the Knicks.
00:31:15John Harris is the man behind the bench.
00:31:17They were the magic for the San Antonio Spurs.
00:31:20And they didn't even get a chance to even look at it.
00:31:22They just trusted Wembeny.
00:31:24He was so emphatic.
00:31:25When he turned to the sideline, there was not going to be time.
00:31:27Because that ball was going to be taken out of bounds.
00:31:30They trusted their star, and it paid off.
00:31:33Sometimes the trust because it's a star.
00:31:35Sometimes it's a guy who rarely looks to the bench for that.
00:31:38And then there were the players who every time they're twirling their finger.
00:31:43Well, and you see coaches sometimes just do it for their stars.
00:31:47To trust in them.
00:31:48To build that trust.
00:31:49Like, hey, he's asking for it.
00:31:51And I'm going to review it, even if it's not, like you said, an iPad review behind.
00:32:02Wembe knocks down another free throw.
00:32:0628 points for Victor Wembenyama.
00:32:09It's back to seven for San Antonio.
00:32:11And I think now up seven, you start to play him with one person, Jalen Brunson,
00:32:15because you have a better chance of taking away the three-point shooting.
00:32:19Harper's now on Brunson.
00:32:22Castle currently on the bench.
00:32:25Brunson doubled.
00:32:27Inside Ananobi.
00:32:28Ananobi at the foul line.
00:32:29Shoots the jumper.
00:32:30And the soft touch goes through.
00:32:3224 for Ananobi.
00:32:36He's 8 of 10 from the field.
00:32:40Both teams have shot the ball well, despite the physical defense all night.
00:32:48Fox.
00:32:49Nice crossover against inside.
00:32:51Layup is good.
00:32:53Just the third field goal from Fox, and it's back to seven again.
00:32:56Wow.
00:32:57That's the 25-point-per-game score that Fox was Sacramento.
00:33:01That was a nasty inside-out dribble in a very tight driving lane.
00:33:05He doesn't have to do it every night for the Spurs, but certainly still capable.
00:33:09Deuce McBride, corner three is short.
00:33:12Harper gets the rebound.
00:33:13Looks to push.
00:33:14Ananobi in front of him.
00:33:15Harper sidestep.
00:33:16Blocked by Ananobi.
00:33:17Hart the rebound.
00:33:20Another spectacular defensive play.
00:33:22Towns at three.
00:33:23Off the mark.
00:33:24Brunson catches it.
00:33:25Goes inside.
00:33:26Layup.
00:33:27Banks it in.
00:33:28And the foul.
00:33:30O'Gianna Ananobi's blocked shot leads to a three-point play down the other end.
00:33:39And again, Karl-Anthony Towns hasn't hit a three.
00:33:44I think that's his first attempt, but Brunson in the right spot at the right time goes up
00:33:49strong.
00:33:50And look, you can have confidence to go up in that paint and focus when you can see Wimby
00:33:55is not around.
00:33:56It is the harder, it's a much harder shot when you're kind of looking over your shoulder
00:34:01for him.
00:34:01We have some spectacular defensive players.
00:34:04Obviously, Wemman Yana, the defensive player of the year, but you look at a player like
00:34:07Ananobi.
00:34:08Look at a player like Castle.
00:34:09These are elite defensive players.
00:34:11What a swing.
00:34:12The block by Ananobi.
00:34:14You had an opportunity there.
00:34:16Go up nine into San Antonio.
00:34:18What a turnaround.
00:34:19And it'll be on Fox.
00:34:21Towns picks him up.
00:34:23Alley up to Wimby.
00:34:24Layup is gone.
00:34:26Surrounded by Knicks.
00:34:27And he just gently taps it in.
00:34:3130 points for Victor Wambanyama.
00:34:40Towns looks to set the screen.
00:34:41Nearly poked away.
00:34:42Brunson tied up.
00:34:44And throws it off of Vassell.
00:34:48Mike Brown arguing with Curtis Blair.
00:34:50It's going to be Nick Ball with seven to shoot.
00:34:53These guards make you work so hard, RJ.
00:34:55The amount of pressure out on the floor and the number of guys they can hand him off to.
00:34:59So they're trying to sub right now to give them more chance for a review.
00:35:03But it's not working.
00:35:04This, what is going on?
00:35:05And they blow the whistle.
00:35:06They inbounded the ball.
00:35:07And then stopped it all of a sudden.
00:35:11They handed the ball to the Knicks.
00:35:12The ball went inbound.
00:35:13Mark Davis and Curtis Blair now discussing it.
00:35:18They were trying to get, they were trying to do a sub to see if they could have more time
00:35:23to look at the iPad.
00:35:25That sub buys them a few seconds.
00:35:27They handed him the brawl and Harper just walked in the game.
00:35:32They were thinking of challenging it.
00:35:34Thought maybe it knocked off Brunson first.
00:35:38And a problem as Harper got up to the table too late to be able to come into the game
00:35:42right there.
00:35:42But he just walked on the floor anyway.
00:35:46So now there's six to shoot.
00:35:53Schammett looking.
00:35:55Ananobi gets it.
00:35:56Five of the 24.
00:35:57Ananobi step back, fires away.
00:35:59Can't get it.
00:36:00Hart the rebound.
00:36:01New 14 on the shot clock.
00:36:02Schammett lines it up.
00:36:04In and out.
00:36:05Battle for the rebound.
00:36:06Champagny comes down with it.
00:36:09Six point game with five to play.
00:36:11Fox falling away.
00:36:13Shot won't go.
00:36:14Rebound goes to Brunson.
00:36:18Brunson to cross over.
00:36:19Dribbled right into Champagny and turned it over.
00:36:23Dangerous pass.
00:36:24Vassell to Wemby.
00:36:27Wemby spins inside.
00:36:29Layup.
00:36:29Foul.
00:36:30And more free throws for Wemby Nyama.
00:36:32Who's six of seven from the line tonight.
00:36:41The foul is on Schammett.
00:36:42And he's got five fouls in 22 minutes.
00:36:49And the pressure on Brunson I think has had an effect, RJ.
00:36:52I mean, just imagine handling the ball against this level of pressure.
00:36:56The number of guys that can switch off and keep him in front.
00:37:00That time he just did not see that there was another defender waiting in his lap.
00:37:04Forced to turn over.
00:37:05San Antonio quickly up the other end to attack before the mix gets set up.
00:37:10Perfect free throw form.
00:37:12Lead back up to seven.
00:37:15Well, after that game two finish when Nyama said, yes, I'll use it as fuel for the next game.
00:37:21Boy, has he used that fuel.
00:37:2331-7-5.
00:37:25Plus blocked shots.
00:37:28He's got two of those as well.
00:37:3034 minutes of play.
00:37:32Well, and that's what we talked about.
00:37:34It's a full 48 minutes.
00:37:35He had a great second half.
00:37:37Even with that turnover, he had a great second half last game.
00:37:40But in the first half, he had four points.
00:37:42He has put together a full 40-minute game so far.
00:37:46Five minutes to go.
00:37:47And the Garden crowd very anxious right now.
00:37:49Brunson leans in.
00:37:50Shot.
00:37:51Missed it.
00:37:51From Nyama the rebound.
00:37:52Outlet deflected.
00:37:53But Harper right there to save it.
00:37:55Four and a half remaining.
00:38:02Harper looks, drives, spins, gets inside.
00:38:06Lost it out of bounds.
00:38:07Last touch by the Knicks.
00:38:0810 to shoot.
00:38:16Yeah, Mitch Johnson wants to talk it over.
00:38:18A huge possession.
00:38:21Spurs an eight-point lead.
00:38:22Trying to get right back in the series with four and a half to play on the road.
00:38:47I look around, I see these young faces, and I think life's just a game of inches.
00:38:53The inches we need are everywhere around us.
00:38:58On this team, we fight for that inch.
00:39:02On this team, we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch.
00:39:08Yeah.
00:39:09We claw with our fingernails for that inch.
00:39:14Because we know when we add up all those inches, that's going to make the difference between winning and...
00:39:27What are you going to do?
00:39:29Take it away.
00:39:32Another challenge.
00:39:33The Knicks challenging the out-of-bounds call.
00:39:35New York elected to challenge the out-of-bounds decision.
00:39:39That's from Mark Davis, so they're checking it out right now.
00:39:43Does it look like it hit the Knicks from that angle to me?
00:39:50It looked like the last person was Harper.
00:39:52That's Harper, the last one to touch that.
00:39:56Now, that would be their second challenge, and then be out of challenges, but right now, with them down eight,
00:40:03every possession is so important.
00:40:10Oh, what an angle right there.
00:40:12Those fingers there, the fingertips by Harper.
00:40:15It doesn't appear like, after Harper touched it, does it touch the fingertips of Ananobi.
00:40:21It's so close.
00:40:23This is why officials tell you the hardest call for them is the out-of-bounds call.
00:40:28As a person, that was an official for a quarter of a summer league game.
00:40:32Upon review, they determined that the ball was last touched by Harper's left hand.
00:40:36Therefore, this is a successful challenge.
00:40:39However, New York will be charged with a timeout, and they have no additional challenges.
00:40:46But the Knicks will get the ball back.
00:40:48Still plenty of time remaining.
00:40:50The Spurs with a magnificent second half.
00:40:53Then they trail by as many as seven.
00:40:57But here in the fourth quarter, an eight-point lead.
00:41:00Well, if you're going to burn up your challenges, they burned them up in the right way.
00:41:03One of them basically saved a four-point play, potentially.
00:41:07And then this one, San Antonio, would have had that ball on the baseline
00:41:10with plenty of time on this possession to score.
00:41:13Look at the points of the second half for the Knicks.
00:41:15The Spurs' defense is just ferocious.
00:41:22So, Shamit, Brunson, Hart, Towns back in, and Ananobi.
00:41:27All right, last four minutes, Legs.
00:41:30But Jalen Brunson looks like he's been putting in a lot of work.
00:41:33Do you possibly put the ball in Carl Anthony Towns' hand
00:41:36and then try and get some movement around him?
00:41:38I mean, they're going to go to one of their favorite sets, it looked like,
00:41:41but Josh Hart couldn't deliver the ball.
00:41:43It's a great cut right there by Shamit, though.
00:41:45Good ball movement.
00:41:46Towns fakes a three, finds Brunson, extra pass.
00:41:48Shamit off the bounce inside.
00:41:50Layup block by Wemby.
00:41:53What a recovery from Victor Wembenyama, his third block of the game.
00:42:02Fox gets inside.
00:42:04Wemby tries a three-pointer.
00:42:06Can't get it to fall.
00:42:08Harper the rebound.
00:42:09Inside, Wembenyama left-handed.
00:42:11Won't go.
00:42:12And Ananobi quick outlet to Brunson.
00:42:15Brunson drives, goes right at Castle, and draws the foul.
00:42:22This play was way too casual.
00:42:25Landry Shamit got the angle on him, but you've got to use the rim.
00:42:28You've got to go to the other side.
00:42:30Wemby still might get it, but you just put it in front of the rim,
00:42:33you've got to get over there and you put it on the glass on the other side
00:42:37as quickly as possible.
00:42:38Anything above that cylinder, Wemby's going to catch up and recover and get it.
00:42:46They want their team to come back for game five.
00:42:50They pack the Frostbanks center.
00:42:52Brunson hits the free throw.
00:42:53Coming up after the conclusion of game three of the finals,
00:42:56flip over to ESPN inside the NBA.
00:42:58Presented by Lilly, live from New York.
00:43:01Ernie, Kenny, Charles, Shaq, and Draymond Green are right here at Madison Square Garden.
00:43:06Three-fourth remaining, fourth quarter.
00:43:08Spurs with a seven-point lead.
00:43:13Game three, nicks up two games to nothing.
00:43:15Spurs desperately need a win.
00:43:18And avoid falling behind three games to nothing.
00:43:21Back and forth they win.
00:43:22But San Antonio with another answer.
00:43:26They've been challenged time and time again in these playoffs.
00:43:30They're right now a seven-point lead with three-fourth remaining.
00:43:35And another free throw now for Brunson.
00:43:38And some worried, anxious Knick fans throughout the boroughs of New York City.
00:43:45Brunson, 26 points.
00:43:47Important here for San Antonio, how they operate their offense.
00:43:49They've got to continue to put pressure on the rim with Victor Wemenyama on ball screens.
00:43:55And the most important thing now, they've been in this position before.
00:43:59Ball security is everything.
00:44:00You've got to make sure you don't turn it over.
00:44:02You get shots every trip.
00:44:04Again, as you said, just seven turnovers for San Antonio.
00:44:09Castle finds Fox.
00:44:11Fox on the drive.
00:44:12Leans in.
00:44:13Well defended by Ananobi.
00:44:14Falls down.
00:44:16Ball knocked loose.
00:44:17Still loose out of bounds.
00:44:20You can fall down.
00:44:21That's not a travel.
00:44:24Well, De'Aaron Fox turned down a wide-open three.
00:44:27He thought he was going to be able to get an angle for their drive.
00:44:31Disaster's possession for the Spurs.
00:44:32Just said it.
00:44:33You can't have turnovers when you're trying to close out a game on the road.
00:44:38Brunson to Bridges.
00:44:39Bridges to Towns.
00:44:40Quick three-pointers up.
00:44:41In and out.
00:44:42Rebound Harper.
00:44:44Knicks now here in the fourth quarter.
00:44:460 for 9 from 3.
00:44:47De'Aaron Fox.
00:44:49De'Aaron Fox.
00:44:52Castle looking.
00:44:53Drives.
00:44:53Kicks it out.
00:44:54Bissell wide open three-pointer.
00:44:57And Towns with the rebound.
00:45:04Brunson will pull back.
00:45:05Bissell on him.
00:45:07Just over two and a half remaining.
00:45:08Brunson finds Hart.
00:45:10Back to Brunson.
00:45:11Fakes the three.
00:45:12Drives inside.
00:45:13Sidestep right-handed.
00:45:14Shot blocked.
00:45:14Castle got a piece of it.
00:45:15Knocked out of bounds.
00:45:17Towns blocked by Fox.
00:45:18And it's Nick Ball with 4.7 remaining.
00:45:21Just smothering defense from San Antonio.
00:45:25Starts with the hard closeout by Wemby.
00:45:27To force Brunson off that three-point line.
00:45:30And then you just get everybody flooding to the lane.
00:45:33When you get your guards to come down and help protect the rim.
00:45:38What a help.
00:45:39Darren Fox.
00:45:39Finally the last line.
00:45:41Brunson looks inside Towns.
00:45:44Towns as it blocked.
00:45:45Once again.
00:45:46Knocked out of bounds.
00:45:47He wanted a foul.
00:45:523.2 now to shoot.
00:45:56This is just incredible defense over the crowd.
00:45:58Just saw a replay on the big screen.
00:46:01No challenge for the Knicks to take a look.
00:46:05Bridges back to Brunson.
00:46:06He's got to put it up.
00:46:07Shot clock winding now.
00:46:08Shot is up.
00:46:09Shot is good.
00:46:10Pluck shot.
00:46:11And it's a four-point game with 2.20 remaining.
00:46:17Castle walks it up slowly.
00:46:19The Spurs have struggled in the final two, three minutes of games against Buckets.
00:46:24Where do they go for their offense now?
00:46:27Wemby and Towns really pushing and shoving each other.
00:46:30When Minyama comes out.
00:46:31Shot clock at four.
00:46:33Now the dribble.
00:46:35Shot clock winding down.
00:46:36Castle has to put it up.
00:46:38Bang!
00:46:39Stephon Castle from three-point range.
00:46:41And it's a seven-point Spurs lead.
00:46:43Man, what a bailout.
00:46:45That possession was going nowhere.
00:46:47The Knicks had him forced to the perimeter.
00:46:50Bridges lost the handle.
00:46:52Gets it back.
00:46:54Into the hands of Brunson.
00:46:56Fox picks him up.
00:46:595 on the 24.
00:47:00In the corner to Bridges.
00:47:02Fires away.
00:47:03Shot won't go.
00:47:04Harper with a rebound.
00:47:05His ninth rebound.
00:47:08Reflect!
00:47:10Reflect!
00:47:11Still 1.23 remaining.
00:47:13But right now the Spurs in control.
00:47:14Taking time off the clock.
00:47:16This crowd is stunned.
00:47:18Reflect!
00:47:20Reflect!
00:47:21Reflect!
00:47:21Reflect!
00:47:22Reflect!
00:47:22Reflect!
00:47:23Reflect!
00:47:24Reflect!
00:47:25Reflect!
00:47:26Reflect!
00:47:26Puts it up.
00:47:27Won't go.
00:47:28Rebound.
00:47:28Hart.
00:47:29Coming up in a minute remaining.
00:47:32Mananobi goes right at Wimby.
00:47:34Gets inside.
00:47:35And fouled from behind with 59.6 remaining.
00:47:38A chance to cut it to five.
00:47:41And that's crucial right there.
00:47:42These pre-throws are big.
00:47:44You get a chance for two free throws with the clock stopped.
00:47:48And again, the Spurs actually have some distance right now.
00:47:53Well, that's not the luxury they had in the prior two games.
00:47:57And we talked about where is their offense going to come from.
00:48:00That was great defense by the Knicks.
00:48:02But tonight, Castle hits that deep three.
00:48:06That's tough.
00:48:07And a costly, costly miss at the free throw line.
00:48:10And both teams still have two timeouts remaining.
00:48:14The Knicks are going to press up here.
00:48:16And they're going to try to apply pressure to ball handlers.
00:48:18But with Harper and Fox on the floor, you're talking about two guys with great speed, strength to be able
00:48:24to advance the basketball.
00:48:25And a 7-5 pressure release in Victor Wimby-Yama if you need it.
00:48:29The second free throw is good.
00:48:36Six-point game.
00:48:40Fox, 10 points, 8 assists here tonight.
00:48:46Brunson now picks him up.
00:48:47Fox, the crossover.
00:48:49Frox into the paint.
00:48:50Kicks it out.
00:48:50Harper, corner three.
00:48:52Rebound goes to Brunson.
00:48:57Brunson drives on Harper.
00:48:59Steps back.
00:48:59Three-pointers up.
00:49:00It's good.
00:49:01Jalen Brunson drills the three.
00:49:03It's a three-point game.
00:49:06They don't have to foul.
00:49:08Got about eight, nine seconds here.
00:49:11Difference.
00:49:12If they can get one more stop, they'll have an opportunity.
00:49:15Get a timeout.
00:49:16Try to tie this.
00:49:17Got a nine-second difference shot clock and game clock.
00:49:21Towns holding on to Wimby.
00:49:22Fox gets into the paint.
00:49:24Puts up jumper.
00:49:25Got it!
00:49:26De'Aaron Fox with a clutch bucket right there.
00:49:28And it's back to a five-point game.
00:49:30Timeout with 12.2 remaining.
00:49:33And the garden has grown silent.
00:49:35What a clutch shot from De'Aaron Fox.
00:49:41De'Aaron Fox, the all-NBA guard from Sacramento,
00:49:46making big plays for San Antonio.
00:49:50They've got a five-point lead with 12 seconds to go.
00:49:55NBA Finals will continue Wednesday night right back here at the Garden.
00:49:58Game four on ABC.
00:49:59NBA tip-off gets the night started 7 Eastern on ESPN,
00:50:02then half-hour on ABC at 8 Eastern,
00:50:05then tip-off of the game shortly after 8.30.
00:50:08All right, what's the strategy for the Knicks right now?
00:50:10Well, I'll tell you what, you're going to have to try to get something here.
00:50:13Carl Anthony Towns is always a threat.
00:50:16And he's an initial screener for the pop-back,
00:50:18because Wimby is more inclined to try to protect the rim.
00:50:23Hart will inbound.
00:50:25Knicks still do have one timeout left.
00:50:28Goes to Ananobi in the corner.
00:50:30Fires away.
00:50:31Three-pointer.
00:50:31Got it!
00:50:32OG Ananobi nails it!
00:50:34It's a two-point game with 9.4 remaining!
00:50:39Another clutch three-pointer.
00:50:40They had missed their first 10 here in the fourth quarter,
00:50:43and two big ones in a row.
00:50:45What a shot!
00:50:47But this pass as well.
00:50:48There is not much room to get this ball to the corner, up the sideline.
00:50:53Dylan Harper is right there.
00:50:54That is a perfectly thrown pass by Josh Hart to the outside hand.
00:51:00And then OG Ananobi now with a difficult spin out of that toward the baseline.
00:51:06There's not a lot of room in that corner between the sideline and the three-point line so easily.
00:51:12And you see it happen all the time.
00:51:13Player steps out of bounds.
00:51:15Ananobi with the perfect shot.
00:51:17And there were two players on Brunson.
00:51:19So they kind of guarded him with the out-of-bounds.
00:51:22And that's difficult.
00:51:23Now, what do you think?
00:51:25That the Spurs there obviously got a foul.
00:51:27I don't even think you have time for a steal.
00:51:29Maybe a light steal.
00:51:30But you don't want too much time to go off that clock.
00:51:33You're going to get this ball in immediately.
00:51:35Obviously, if I'm San Antonio, I'm Mitch Johnson,
00:51:38I'm doing everything I can to draw something up
00:51:40so that Victor Wemenyama, maybe an initial screener, put that hand up.
00:51:44He's got a high target, and he's also an elite foul shooter.
00:51:47If I'm Mitch Johnson, that's where I'm trying to go.
00:51:49De'Aaron Fox also would be a good option in this situation.
00:51:51Yeah, you get to get it to your best pre-throw shooters,
00:51:55but you also have to be strong with the ball.
00:51:58They're going to be reaching.
00:51:59They're going to be grabbing.
00:52:00So you've got to be strong so there's just not some Aaron Steele.
00:52:049.4 remaining.
00:52:05It's now a two-point game.
00:52:09Lassell, Wemenyama, Harper, Fox, and Castle.
00:52:14Castle will inbound as they advance the ball on the front court.
00:52:19Spurs, by the way, still have a timeout left.
00:52:25Castle looking.
00:52:26Fox gets free.
00:52:27Throws it right back to Castle.
00:52:30And there's the foul.
00:52:31Castle has hit three or four from the free throw line here tonight.
00:52:35And during the playoffs, 81%.
00:52:38He has had a magnificent game.
00:52:4021 points, five assists, five rebounds, and some spectacular defense.
00:52:45But right now, the biggest free throws of his young career.
00:52:49And I'll tell you what, De'Aaron Fox had an opportunity.
00:52:51I don't think he necessarily liked where he caught it
00:52:53because he was against the sideline where he could be trapped.
00:52:55But he's four for four from the line.
00:52:58Instead, goes back to Castle.
00:53:03Knocks down the first.
00:53:05This 21-year-old, tough and fearless, now with 22 points.
00:53:11Now, if he misses, the Knicks do have a timeout.
00:53:14And then you wonder, three-point game to the Spurs,
00:53:17would they foul and not allow the Knicks to take a three?
00:53:20Mitchell Robinson's going to come in
00:53:22and try and help out on the rebound on a miss.
00:53:29If Mitchell Robinson catches that ball,
00:53:32if you're the Spurs, you want to foul immediately.
00:53:36Don't even give them an opportunity.
00:53:37That's the only downside to having Mitchell Robinson in this position.
00:53:43Stephon Castle.
00:53:45Huge free throw here.
00:53:49Oh, so clutch for Castle.
00:53:51The Knicks will use their final timeout.
00:53:52That makes it a four-point game.
00:53:55Well, it's 6.8 remaining.
00:53:57Knicks are now out of timeouts.
00:53:58What a performance from Castle on a building.
00:54:00He had some big college games when he played for UConn.
00:54:07And he's the one that said after that tough game two loss,
00:54:10if we play the way we win, the way we normally play,
00:54:13there's no way we don't win the series.
00:54:15He has backed up his words, at least here in game three.
00:54:21And now I think, look, if you're Santa Tony,
00:54:23the only thing that's going to hurt you here is a foul.
00:54:25You can put Victor Wim and Yama back,
00:54:28so you don't get a quick lob in, like, less than half a second
00:54:31to cut it to two.
00:54:32You put him back,
00:54:33and everybody else can stay beyond the three-point line,
00:54:36switch everything, and do not foul a shooter.
00:54:39Well, and also, even if the Knicks hit a three,
00:54:42they're going to have to go full court to get their next shot.
00:54:46So how quickly they can get that shot off
00:54:48and knock it down if they're able to,
00:54:50that's going to dictate their second opportunity
00:54:52because they're going to need two.
00:54:54The Spurs have missed seven free throws
00:54:56through the first three quarters,
00:54:57but you just saw before,
00:54:59perfect from the line here when it mattered most.
00:55:02Ten for ten.
00:55:05Well, Knicks, out of timeouts, will advance the ball.
00:55:11They need a Larry Johnson four-point play right now.
00:55:15That was the year,
00:55:16the last time the Knicks made the finals in 1999.
00:55:24Brunson.
00:55:24There's Larry in the building.
00:55:26I wonder if he's even said that himself right now.
00:55:28I have no doubt.
00:55:29He's thinking about it right now.
00:55:30He's telling people,
00:55:31remember back in the day what I did in this spot.
00:55:35Bridges and Anobi Towns, Brunson Hart.
00:55:37Wemby will guard the inbounds.
00:55:41Tough sight lines for Josh Hart.
00:55:46Hart searching.
00:55:47Close for five seconds.
00:55:48Bridges gets it.
00:55:49Turns, fires a three-pointer.
00:55:50Shot off the mark.
00:55:51Rebound deflected.
00:55:52Out of bounds.
00:55:54Knick ball with 2.1 remaining.
00:56:01Some of the crowd now heading for the exits.
00:56:10Brunson's looking like they're going to lob it.
00:56:12Nope.
00:56:12And it'll be corner three.
00:56:13Fires away.
00:56:14Shot's no good.
00:56:15And the Spurs win.
00:56:16What a response from San Antonio.
00:56:19They do it again.
00:56:21An inspiring road win.
00:56:23And they are right back in the series.
00:56:25The Knick lead cut two games to one.
00:56:28Right now here in these NBA Finals,
00:56:30the road teams won all three games.
00:56:32And a playoff gem from Victor Wemby-Nyama.
00:56:39It's incredible, this young team,
00:56:41the time of toughness and resiliency they have.
00:56:44Major gut check on the road.
00:56:47Really kind of feel like your season might be on the line
00:56:49if you go down 3-0.
00:56:51And I thought that Wemby-Nyama and Castle
00:56:53at the start of the game had the mentality
00:56:55both of those guys played with such force
00:56:58and strength throughout the night.
00:56:59A crushing loss in game two at home.
00:57:03And a spectacular win in game three on the road.
00:57:07And we tried to tell people,
00:57:08this team was a team that was down 3-2.
00:57:10Had to go on the road to beat the defending champions.
00:57:14The best team in the league the last couple of years.
00:57:16That's what they had to go accomplish.
00:57:18And they showed that poise.
00:57:20Tonight, again, on top of it, it's been impressive.
00:57:23Wemby started off the game impressive.
00:57:25Exactly.
00:57:26Look where these initial touches are.
00:57:29Right in front of the rim.
00:57:31You know he's got the perimeter game.
00:57:32It sets up the drive right here.
00:57:34But his intent from the beginning of the game
00:57:37is to be aggressive and get to his spots.
00:57:39And then later, the three-point shooting kicked in.
00:57:44They're just, again, De'Aaron Fox.
00:57:47Again, his creation was so key tonight.
00:57:50Eight assists for De'Aaron Fox.
00:57:5332 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks.
00:57:57Right now, let's end it down.
00:57:58Alicia Selfish for the post-game report.
00:58:01Thank you, Mike.
00:58:02Victor, just what was better tonight about the late-game execution?
00:58:08Less mistakes, more control.
00:58:11You said that game two was going to fuel you.
00:58:15How did it fuel you tonight?
00:58:18I mean, in the way we see.
00:58:19It's the little things.
00:58:21We were more serious, you know, with less mistakes.
00:58:24Last turnovers.
00:58:26It's a hole.
00:58:28In one of the late-game huddles, I heard Mitch Johnson tell you guys,
00:58:32it's not about our offense.
00:58:33It's going to happen on the defensive end.
00:58:35What was better about the defense?
00:58:37Absolutely.
00:58:38Defense feels offense and vice versa.
00:58:40But what was better in the defense was communication being early.
00:58:45And you also said it was about not making mistakes.
00:58:48It was also about Stephon Castle's big three-point shot.
00:58:51What did you think when that went in?
00:58:54Oh, no, I mean, he's great.
00:58:55I'm not surprised.
00:58:56He's got great poise.
00:59:00It's hard to put into words how valuable he is to us and to me.
00:59:04Victor, to come into this building and to steal this game three,
00:59:07just what does it do for you guys and your confidence going into game four?
00:59:12Nothing, really.
00:59:14We're all the time confident.
00:59:17Did what we were supposed to do, but the job is absolutely not done.
00:59:21We're not even halfway.
00:59:23The hardest is still to come.
00:59:25It's midnight, man.
00:59:26Let's go.
00:59:27Thank you, Victor.
00:59:28Mike.
00:59:29Well, Lisa, no finals team ever recovered from losing the first two games at home.
00:59:34Well, the Spurs looking to make history.
00:59:36They took the first step here with this thrilling win here on the road of Madison Square Garden.
00:59:42It's two games to one in favor of the Knicks.
00:59:44Last time they played a playoff game, the Spurs, that was a clinching game five and 99 as they clinched
00:59:51their first title.
00:59:53Finals return to Madison Square Garden Wednesday night, game four on ABC NBA tip-off.
00:59:57And the night started at 7, tip-off shortly after 8.30.
01:00:00For our producer, Phil Dean, director Mike Schwab, our outstanding ABC crew.
01:00:04Of course, for Legs, Richard and Lisa, Mike Brinstein, join us Wednesday night for game four.
01:00:08Your late local lose is next on most of these ABC stations.
01:00:12For post-game coverage, flip over to ESPN for Inside the NBA.
01:00:16Good night from New York City on ABC, home of the NBA Finals.
01:00:25ESPN, the home of champions.
01:00:33The home of Super Bowl 61.
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