NEW YORK — Victor Wembanyama delivered a dominant performance with 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 2026 NBA Finals on Monday night at Madison Square Garden, cutting the Knicks' series lead to 2-1 and embracing his status as the city's newest villain.

The 7-foot-4 French phenom, in his third NBA season, led the Spurs to their first road victory in the Finals since 1999, snapping a lengthy drought at the world's most famous arena. Stephon Castle came off the bench with 23 points, providing crucial scoring as the Spurs overcame early deficits and capitalized on Knicks turnovers.

Wembanyama addressed the hostile environment and his growing reputation among Knicks fans in a postgame interview. He acknowledged the "villain" label with characteristic humor and humility, noting he still falls short of past antagonists like Trae Young.

"I guess I'm nowhere near Trae Young's level though," Wembanyama said when asked about becoming New York's latest villain.

The comment reflected the intensity of the series, which has featured physical play, star matchups and off-court drama including high-profile attendees like former President Donald Trump at Game 3. Knicks fans have directed significant energy toward the Spurs' young superstar, who has quickly become a focal point of their frustrations.

Despite the boos, Wembanyama thrived in the........

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