The San Antonio Spurs have given themselves life in the NBA Finals after taking Game 3, 115-111, over the New York Knicks.
Although the Knicks still lead the series 2-1, great performances by Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox’s dagger pumped some life into San Antonio’s chances.
Donald Trump’s Game 3 appearance was a major talking point, but the officiating also drew attention, as the NBA world took to social media to share their thoughts on the controversial calls.
How the NBA World Reacted to Controversial Game 3 Officiating
While the officiating didn’t decide the outcome of Game 3, some controversial calls definitely caught attention.
Jalen Brunson had his head pushed toward the ground by Wembanyama in the first half, but the refs didn’t call what was likely a flagrant foul.
Stephon Castle later ran through Brunson and wasn’t called for a flagrant either. Brunson was called for a flagrant foul for invading landing space on a 3-pointer.
Victor Wembanyama shoves Jalen Brunson, then laughs as he doesn’t retaliate pic.twitter.com/4bIyZ2CN8W
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) June 9, 2026
Whether these calls were correct is up for debate, but the controversial calls didn’t go over well with many on social media.
“Every f***ing play is a foul on the Knicks! Unwatchable game with this officiating,” Kevin Covais posted.
Every fucking play is a foul on the Knicks! Unwatchable game with this officiating
— Kevin Covais (@kevincovais) June 9, 2026
Even notable analyst Sam Quinn chimed in on the referees.
“This is some garbage officiating, I mean my god,” said Quinn.
This is some garbage officiating, I mean my god.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) June 9, 2026
The refereeing has been a story throughout the first three games of the NBA Finals. It has certainly been very physical, and the officials are being called out for their inability to control the games.
“This is an all-time disaster of an officiating series. In the NBA Finals that simply can’t happen. The NBA really whiffed on choosing this ref crew,” said Knicks content creator Dylan Backer.
This is an all-time disaster of an officiating series. In the NBA Finals that simply can’t happen.
The NBA really whiffed on choosing this ref crew.
— Dylan Backer (@DylanBackerESM) June 9, 2026
One thing that caught the eye was that Curtis Blair had never refereed an NBA Finals game until Game 3.
“Why do they have a ref doing his first NBA Finals game tonight. WTF is up with that,” said media personality Tony Cordasco.
Why do they have a ref doing his first NBA Finals game tonight. WTF is up with that @nba
— Tony Cordasco (@TonyDasco) June 9, 2026
Free throws were another story in Game 3. The Knicks shot only 8 free throws in the second half, while the Spurs shot 24.
New York head coach Mike Brown wasn’t happy postgame and expressed his disappointment with this discrepancy in his postgame presser.
“I never thought I’d be in the NBA Finals and see a team get 24 free-throw attempts in the second half to another team’s eight,” he said.
Mike Brown spent almost 5 minutes at the start of his presser complaining about the officiating: pic.twitter.com/4R5W7SBlmm
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) June 9, 2026
“Now I don’t think I complain much about officials or the fairness when it comes to the free-throw attempts.”
Brown wasn’t the only unhappy camper with the difference in free throws, as one user pinned the blame on Commissioner Adam Silver.
“Adam Silver 100% made the call to the refs for game 3 to extend this series,” said Hunter Bolding, a film critic for That Hollywood Show.
Adam Silver 100% made the call to the refs for game 3 to extend this series. #NBAFinals
— Hunter Bolding (@HunterBVideo) June 9, 2026
Beyond the controversial refereeing, the Spurs finally got big performances out of their two young stars.
Wembanyama tallied 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Castle had 23 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists. None of Castle’s 23 points were bigger than his two late free throws to ice the game.
New York did their best to climb back into the game with a late run but fell short for the first time in 46 days, and their 13-game winning streak came to an end.
Brunson finished with 32 points, and OG Anunoby added 28 in the losing effort. Brunson had an uncharacteristic night with the ball, recording 5 turnovers and only 5 assists.
The Knicks will head back to the drawing board as they aim to defend home court in Game 4 and put them one game away from hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
