NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The New York Knicks had their 13-game winning streak in these playoffs snapped at Madison Square Garden on Monday night as the San Antonio Spurs took Game 3, 115-111, to avoid a potential sweep.
After the game, Knicks head coach Mike Brown took time to begin his press conference with a gripe he had with how the play was called by officials in the second half.
“First of all, I want to make sure I get something clear,” Brown began. “Coach Mitch Johnson and the Spurs. They won the game tonight. They came and took the game.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown reacts during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 8, 2026 in New York City. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“But I will say this: I never thought I’d be in the NBA Finals and watch one team get 24 free-throw attempts in the second half to another team’s eight. I don’t think I’ll complain much about the officials or the fairness of the free-throw attempts.”
Brown went on to say how well the Spurs played, but he couldn’t get over the inconsistency in the free throw.
SPURS SNAP KNICKS’ 13-GAME PLAYOFF WINNER STREAK WITH GAME 3 WIN BEHIND VICTOR WEMBANYAMA’S 32 POINTS
“Maybe we were dirty,” Brown said. “But they also polluted.”
Brown came up with a specific play where Karl-Anthony Towns secured a loose ball rebound under the hoop and when he shot it, he was hit in the arm while also getting the ball knocked out of his hands. No foul was called.
There was another moment, not brought up by Brown, when Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 32 points, forcefully brought down Jalen Brunson’s head as they battled for position in the Knicks’ offensive zone. Although this happened in the first half, no foul was given.
However, Brown did not try to make excuses. He believed his team played stagnant offensively while “we allowed them to get to the paint and we didn’t pay attention to the details of what we needed to do defensively.”
New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown looks on during the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 8, 2026. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Brown knew where the story was going after his comments, but his players didn’t share the same sentiment. Whether it was to avoid fines from the league or not, players like Towns didn’t believe the 24-8 free throw attempts in the second half “cost us the game.”
“Turned the ball over. Didn’t execute. Didn’t do what gave us 13 straight,” he said. “That’s how you lose a game. We didn’t do what we’ve done in 13 [games]. We decided to do something different and it’s not going to work. Throwing the ball away is a clear indication of how you’re going to lose the game, especially in the playoffs.”
Brunson even said during his postgame press conference that the Knicks ‘burned a lot and put them on the line about 30 times.’
The Knicks understand that it was more than free throws that lost them the game. They entered the second half with a seven-point lead and quickly gave it back to the Spurs, something Brown pointed to as a difference maker.
Mike Brown of the New York Knicks talks during a timeout in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 8, 2026. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
“I thought San Antonio, they hit first at the beginning of the game and they hit first at halftime,” he said.
The Knicks will have a chance for redemption Wednesday night back in their building, where they will look to be the first home team in these Finals to win on their court.
