The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs face off today in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals [1].
The matchup is critical for the series trajectory, as the Knicks aim to move within one win of a championship while the Spurs fight to avoid a nearly insurmountable deficit.
The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET [1] at Madison Square Garden in New York City [1]. The Knicks are looking to take a 3-0 lead in the series, according to an NBA.com live update [6].
Fans can watch the game on ABC [3], and it will be streamed live on the NBA app starting at 8:30 p.m. ET, NESN staff said [2]. There are conflicting reports regarding streaming costs; Cleveland.com reported a free stream is available via NBA.com [5], while NESN said the NBA app requires a subscription [2].
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden remains high as the series returns to New York. A reporter from Sporting News said President Donald Trump was spotted in the arena during the game [7].
This game serves as a pivotal moment for San Antonio, which must win to prevent the Knicks from taking a dominant lead. Historically, teams that fall behind 3-0 in the NBA Finals rarely recover, making this contest a must-win for the Spurs to stay competitive in the championship race.
“The Knicks are looking to take a 3-0 lead in the series.”
A 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals creates a statistical mountain that is almost impossible to climb. If the Knicks secure this victory, they put themselves in a position where they only need one more win to secure the title, placing immense pressure on the Spurs to execute a historic comeback.
