By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With enhanced security measures in place for Game 3 of the NBA Finals 2026 at Madison Square Garden, triggered by the scheduled attendance of United States president Donald Trump, the players of the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs remain focused on their assignments. Similar to San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, British Knicks starter OG Anunoby downplayed the situation during his press conference on Sunday.
“I know it’s going to be crazy. They’re always behind us. Always rowdy and excited. And I know it’s just gonna be really cool,” stated the 28-year-old forward.
“I think he’s going to be just there watching the game. We’re going to go as usual, just play our game, try to win a game,” he added, when questioned about how the president’s attendance might impact the team coached by Mike Brown.
Heightened security includes the cancellation of Monday’s outdoor plaza watch party and restricted pre-game media access. While the immediate MSG vicinity faces strict closures, local authorities expect outdoor watch parties to resume for Wednesday’s Game 4.
Both sides enter Game 3 of the best-of-seven championship series in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with fully healthy rosters, with the Knicks looking to inch closer to their first championship since 1973.
Facing Wembanyama, Anunoby made it clear that the Knicks expect the superstar center to bring his best. “The usual. Aggressive, talented, relentless. The usual Wemby,” he said.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94, 94-125)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 (115-104, 109-93, 121-108, 130-93)
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 3-4 (115-122, 122-113, 123-108, 82-103, 127-114, 91-118, 103-111)
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
San Antonio Spurs – New York Knicks 0-2 (95-105, 104-105)
Make