Knicks-Spurs Finals Anticipation
NBA Finals Game 3 Between Knicks and Spurs Ignites New York City Excitement
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Fans lined up outside Madison Square Garden more than three hours before the 8:42 p.m. ET tip-off of Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, according to AP News. The Knicks hold a 2–0 series lead, and tickets to get in the door exceeded $5,000 on resale platforms — with courtside seats fetching as much as $329,000.
It is the first Finals game at MSG since 1999 — the last time these two franchises met, with San Antonio winning the title. Tonight, the city of New York is treating the moment like a coronation.
A City Gripped by Knicks Fever Hits the Streets
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has fully leaned into the hysteria. He even jokingly repealed children's bedtimes by executive order during the Knicks' Finals run, according to AP News. Bars and streets across the city were packed hours before tip-off. Fans were spotted taking selfies with a robot dressed in Knicks gear outside MSG.
President Donald Trump was also confirmed as a high-profile attendee for Game 3. The Knicks have not played a home Finals game in 27 years. For many fans, this night is not just a basketball game — it is a long-overdue reckoning.
Knicks Win Ugly in San Antonio, Still Lead 2–0
New York took Game 1 on June 4 by a score of 105–95. In Game 2 on June 5, the Knicks survived a near-collapse, winning 105–104, according to Sports Illustrated. The game ended when Victor Wembanyama threw an outlet pass that hit his own teammate Stephon Castle in the back. Jalen Brunson grabbed the loose ball and the Knicks escaped.
Brunson has been far from perfect. He has made just 19 of 56 shots — a 33.9% rate — across the first two games, according to Heavy Sports. Still, he told reporters, "I still feel like I can be much better." The Knicks have now won 13 straight playoff games, the second-longest streak in NBA postseason history.
Wembanyama Takes the Blame, Spurs Fight for Survival
After Game 2, Wembanyama was blunt about his mistake. "I threw that one away. I messed up," the 22-year-old said, according to Eurohoops. He added, "I'm still very blurry, and that's the whole problem." He still put up 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks in 40 minutes — but the Spurs lost anyway.
No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3–0 deficit. Gregg Popovich — now the Spurs' team president after retiring due to a stroke in 2024 — sent a simple message after Game 2, according to BasketNews: "Let the last two games go." Tonight is effectively a must-win for San Antonio.
$465 Million on the Line for New York's Economy
The Knicks' postseason run is not just good for the soul — it is good for the wallet. The mayor's office projects the full run could bring $465 million into New York City's economy, according to AP News. Each home game at MSG is expected to generate $90 to $91 million through spending on food, hotels, transportation, and merchandise.
MSG Sports, the parent company of the Knicks, has also seen its stock hit an all-time high of $361.50 per share, according to Fast Company. The franchise is now valued at more than $9.85 billion. For New York, a championship would mean far more than a trophy.
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