By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Victor Wembanyama completely embraced the villain role at Madison Square Garden on Monday. Despite facing colourful chants from the crowd, he fueled a crucial Game 3 victory for the San Antonio Spurs over the New York Knicks.
The French phenom dominated the floor with an impressive stat line of 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals to help his side bounce back in the best-of-seven championship series of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google. When asked during his postgame press conference about becoming the newest target of the notoriously hostile New York crowd, Wemby downplayed the comparison to notorious Garden antagonists. “I guess, but I am nowhere near Trae Young’s level, though,” he answered with a smile.
The victory provided a much-needed breakthrough for San Antonio after dropping the first two games of the NBA Finals 2026 at home. Beyond his on-court brilliance, the 22-year-old French center highlighted the immense mental toll of navigating the intense championship environment, explaining his visit to Gramercy Park before Game 3.
“Sometimes, I don’t even have to watch the game back right away. I just need a little time off, let my brain cool down, and recover. Recover as much for the body and the mind,” he said regarding his routine and mental reset.
Staying in New York, Game 4 follows on Wednesday.
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 1-2 (95-105, 104-105, 115-111)
Make