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Victor Wembanyama joins elite company in Spurs' Game 3 win
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts in the third quarter against the New York Knicks during Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Victor Wembanyama joins elite NBA Finals company in Spurs' Game 3 win

For the San Antonio Spurs to beat the New York Knicks and get back in the series, Victor Wembanyama had to be at his best. And when called upon, Wembanyama delivered as the Spurs conquered the adversity of the atmosphere of Madison Square Garden on Monday night. 

In leading the Spurs to an 115-111 win in Game 3, Wembanyama put up a performance for the ages and one that's incredibly rare as far as NBA Finals history. 

He scored 32 points in 39 minutes, connecting on 12-of-18 shots from the field and splashing a pair of big threes.

Victor Wembanyama made history and joined elite company in Game 3 

Wembanyama also added eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals, playing the role of villain to the Knicks fans in attendance at the first NBA Finals game in New York in 27 years. 

The 22-year-old superstar became the second youngest player to ever record at least 30 points, five boards and five assists in an NBA Finals game, only behind Magic Johnson's famous run to winning NBA Finals MVP as a rookie in 1980.

Even beyond looking at his age, Wembanyama joined elite company production-wise. He became the fourth player, along with Kevin Durant, LeBron James and one of his legendary Spurs predecessors, Tim Duncan, to register his exact stat line in an NBA Finals game.  

Game 3 was Wembanyama's best game of the Finals so far

But most importantly, Wembanyama reached 30 points for the first time in the series, scoring 29 in Game 2 and 26 while shooting just 28.6% in Game 1. 

Wembanyama and the Spurs have now flipped the momentum and placed all the pressure on the Knicks heading into Game 4 on Wednesday night. Another Spurs win, and the series heads back to San Antonio tied at wins for each team.  

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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