NBA: Victor Wembanyama pours in 32 as Spurs halve Knicks' edge in Finals

NEW YORK — Victor Wembanyama delivered 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks, 115-111, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday night.

The victory allowed San Antonio to trim New York's lead in the best-of-seven championship series to 2-1. Game 4 is set for Wednesday night in New York.

The loss ended the Knicks' 13-game postseason winning streak, the second-longest playoff winning streak in NBA history. The 2017 Golden State Warriors hold the record after winning their first 15 playoff games en route to the NBA title.

Stephon Castle added 23 points for the Spurs, including 18 in the first half and five crucial points late in the fourth quarter. Dylan Harper contributed 13 points off the bench, while Julian Champagnie and De'Aaron Fox scored 12 points each. Devin Vassell chipped in 11 points, and Fox also recorded eight assists.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 32 points, while OG Anunoby added 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Josh Hart finished with 16 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 11 points, and Jordan Clarkson added 10 points off the bench.

The Knicks held a 46-37 advantage in rebounds, but the Spurs capitalized on key plays down the stretch.

New York struggled from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, missing its first 10 three-point attempts of the period before Brunson and Anunoby connected on back-to-back three-pointers in the final 34 seconds to cut the deficit to 113-111.

After a timeout, Castle calmly made two free throws with 6.8 seconds remaining to extend San Antonio's lead. The Knicks had opportunities to tie the game, but Mikal Bridges and Anunoby both missed three-point attempts before the final buzzer.

The Spurs maintained control despite making just one of nine three-point attempts in the fourth quarter. That lone basket came from Castle with 1:53 remaining, giving San Antonio a seven-point cushion.

San Antonio came out strong, with Wembanyama scoring the game's first four points on dunks as the Spurs opened with a 7-0 run. The visitors led by as many as 12 points and took a 33-22 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The Spurs extended their lead to 38-27 early in the second quarter before the Knicks responded with a 37-19 run to close the half. Brunson scored 10 points during the surge, helping New York take a 64-57 lead into halftime.

San Antonio answered in the third quarter, with Champagnie scoring the team's first six points of the period. The Spurs outscored the Knicks 35-27 in the quarter to regain the lead, 92-91, heading into the final 12 minutes.

— Field Level Media/Reuters