The NBA Finals matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks picked up even more intensity after the Spurs’ bounce-back victory in Game 3, tying the series 2-1.
Besides the competitiveness in Game 3, former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho also singled out the game’s physical nature and praised it.
Emmanuel Acho Hails the Spurs-Knicks Game 3 as One of the Most Physical Games of the Generation
On Tuesday’s episode of the “Speakeasy” podcast, Acho praised both the Spurs and Knicks for the increased physicality and intensity on display, calling it a refreshing throwback style of basketball.
“I love it,” Acho said. “Yesterday was one of the most violent basketball games we have seen this generation. (I) appreciate it, respect it. All we’ve been talking about in this generation is how soft the game of basketball has gotten. All we’ve been talking about in this generation is how soft the game of football has gotten. Man, Gen Z is so soft. Millennials, they’ve gotten soft. Y’all don’t know about the baby boom.
“We got violent basketball back. I am not going to ask the NBA to soften it. I am not going to ask the NBA to bring out the pillowcases. I am going to applaud the NBA for allowing the players to get violent…I’m here for literally every single second of it. That game, Game 3 NBA Finals, was the most entertaining basketball game I’ve watched in a long time.”
“Yesterday was one of the most VIOLENT games we’ve seen this generation… The NBA IS BACK!”
– @EmmanuelAcho pats the Spurs and Knicks on the back for playing a much more physical and aggressive brand of basketball
WE ARE LIVE NOW ⬇️ https://t.co/yjPLFvsT6j pic.twitter.com/zIPtMJBsW0
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) June 10, 2026
The game itself featured several hard-nosed moments, as Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama both delivered aggressive box-outs on Jalen Brunson that resulted in contact on rebounding plays. However, officials only assessed common fouls and did not elevate them to flagrant calls.
In another separate incident, Knicks star Josh Hart was involved in a heated exchange with Luke Kornet after Hart felt he was blindsided following a fastbreak layup attempt. The incident later escalated into a brief altercation, ending with Hart receiving a technical foul for shoving Kornet.
However, the most controversial sequence involved Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who forcefully pushed Brunson during a battle for position near the top of the key. Brunson appeared to tug Wembanyama’s jersey before Wembanyama responded with a strong shove to Brunson’s neck, sending him to the floor.
Brunson immediately confronted Wembanyama as play continued, but officials allowed the game to go on without a foul call.
The play drew criticism from several analysts, but NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal took a more supportive stance.
“Keep doing it, Wemby,” Shaq said. “Tell Brunson get your little a** out the way.”
NBA senior vice president of referee development and training Monty McCutchen later acknowledged that a foul should have been called on the play.
According to rules, a player is suspended after accumulating three flagrant foul points, and Wembanyama had already been assessed two earlier in the postseason following a Flagrant 2 foul for an elbow to Naz Reid’s neck in the Western Conference semifinals.
However, after further review, the league ultimately ruled that the incident did not meet the threshold for a flagrant foul.
