The NBA Finals returned to Madison Square Garden after 27 years with a game full of tension, leadership changes and a stellar performance by Victor Wembanyama that allowed the San Antonio Spurs to stay alive in the championship series.

The Texan team defeated the New York Knicks 115-111 this Monday and avoided being on the brink of a disadvantage that was practically impossible to overcome. With the result, the franchise reduced the overall difference to 2-1 and will reach the fourth game with the possibility of equalizing the tie.

The figure of the night was Wembanyama. The Frenchman added 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals in what represented his first victory in the NBA Finals. The young center left behind the bad memory of the second game, when a loss of ball in the final moments frustrated San Antonio's aspirations.

From the beginning, the Spurs showed a much more aggressive version. Wembanyama scored his team's first baskets and led a surge that quickly generated a double-digit lead. San Antonio converted nine of its first eleven shots and closed the first quarter with a 33-22 lead against the Knicks who had difficulty finding offensive rhythm.

Wembanyama leads Spurs' reaction

The local response came before the break. Driven by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, the Knicks managed to reverse the score after a comeback that ignited the fans present at the New York venue.

A three-pointer by Anunoby capped a favorable streak for New York and shortly after Brunson gave his team its first lead of the night. At halftime, the locals dominated 64-57 and seemed poised to extend their impressive momentum.

The Knicks had won 13 consecutive games in the postseason, the second-longest streak in NBA playoff history. In addition, they had not known defeat since April 23, during the first round against Atlanta.

However, the Spurs reacted in the second half. Wembanyama contributed ten points in the fourth quarter and found support in Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox, who hit decisive shots during the final minutes.

Castle finished with 23 points and was the protagonist of one of the most important plays of the night when he hit a three-pointer that put San Antonio up 111-104 with less than two minutes left to play. He later sealed the result with two free throws with 6.8 seconds remaining.

Brunson finished with 32 points for New York, while Anunoby added 28 points. Despite final attempts to get closer on the scoreboard, the Knicks were unable to complete the comeback.

The day was also marked by the presence of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, invited by James Dolan, owner of the Knicks. During the national anthem ceremony, the screens at Madison Square Garden showed the president in one of the venue's boxes, a moment that caused loud boos from those in attendance.