Knicks coach Mike Brown didn't mince words after San Antonio's 115-111 Game 3 victory at Madison Square Garden, pointing to a glaring free throw disparity that saw the Spurs attempt 24 shots compared to New York's 8 in the second half. The loss snapped the Knicks' 13-game playoff winning streak and marked the first time since 1993 that the road team won the opening three games of the Finals.

Jalen Brunson led New York with 32 points but shot just 44% from the field, while OG Anunoby contributed 28 points on only 13 attempts. The Knicks' offense ground to a halt in the fourth quarter, managing just 7-for-27 shooting as Victor Wembanyama dominated with 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Brown repeatedly emphasized the free throw gap during his postgame press conference.

Players largely dismissed the officiating controversy, with Brunson citing turnovers and poor execution as the real culprits. Towns acknowledged the team failed to execute what worked during their playoff run. San Antonio's young core, including Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, looked increasingly confident and physical throughout the game.

The series shifts to Game 4 with momentum clearly favoring the Spurs, who now trail 2-1 but demonstrated they can compete in New York's hostile environment. Knicks players admitted they need better starts to games and halves moving forward.