As the New York Knicks entered Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, there were a lot of storylines surrounding the Knicks, who were leading the series 2-0, including Madison Square Garden hosting a Finals game for the first time since 1999, the Knicks on a 13-game postseason winning streak, and native New Yorker and current President Donald Trump attending the game.
However, while all of New York City were ready to hand the Larry O’Brien Trophy over to the Knicks, the Spurs had other plans as they defeated the Knicks 115-111.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with 32 points.
It’s possible that with all that was happening, the Knicks could have been distracted. However, according to Jalen Brunson, who had a team-high 32 points in Game 3 and met the media after practice on Tuesday, that was not the case.
“Not necessarily,” he said. “No matter what the narrative is or what’s going on, we have to be professional, do what we need to do on the court. We have to lock in, execute our game plan, and be together as a team. Win together, lose together. Doesn’t matter what the narrative is. We have to be able to lock in and do what we have to do. We’ve been able to do that. Last night was no different.”
OG Anunoby, who had 28 points in Game 3, agreed with Brunson that the Knicks were not distracted.
“I don’t know about the other stuff, but we were making turnovers that was uncharacteristic of us, just being sloppy with the ball, not being on the same page,” Anunoby said. During the course of the game, stuff like that happens. We’re going to try to clean it up. We’ve already watched film. We’re going to keep watching film and try to keep those mistakes from happening again.”
Not saying the Knicks were distracted, but there were a lot of things going on at MSG on Monday, so if they were, it’s understandable.
Let’s move on, Game 4 is a must-win game for both teams. If the Knicks win, they will take a commanding 3-1 lead and will probably win the series. However, if the Spurs win Game 4, they return home with the series tied at 2-2, and two of the final three games are in San Antonio, so again, Game 4 is a must-win for both teams.
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