NEW YORK — The New York Knicks experienced their first loss in 46 days, falling 115-111 to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Spurs guard Stephon Castle reflected on a previous matchup where the Knicks decisively defeated them by 25 points earlier in March, emphasizing the lesson learned:

It made us realize that we're not invincible.

With the Knicks leading the series 2-1, they now recognize their vulnerabilities. Despite discussions about changes in Game 3, including more alley-oops for Victor Wembanyama and fewer contributions from Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, the game mirrored Game 2's structure, with San Antonio maintaining a double-digit lead at times.

To regain their momentum, the Knicks must address several issues:

• Late-game execution has faltered, dropping from 91.3 points per 100 possessions in Game 2's fourth quarter to 87 in Game 3.
• Coach Mike Brown noted that players hesitated, allowing the Spurs' defense to settle in.
• The Knicks have relied heavily on contested, late-clock jumpers, with 24% of their playoff plays going down to the last four seconds, leading to poor efficiency.

Bridges acknowledged that "too much ball-watching" contributed to their struggles, while De'Aaron Fox of the Spurs highlighted the importance of maintaining defensive pressure. The Knicks need to improve their ball movement and execution while minimizing turnovers and fouls.

As they prepare for Game 4, Towns urged the team to focus on the little details, while Brunson emphasized the need to stay true to their identity. Both teams are aware of each other's strategies, making execution critical in this tightly contested series.