After losing the first two games of the NBA Finals at home, the San Antonio Spurs secured a gritty 115-111 win over the New York Knicks in Game 3 on Monday night. The victory trims the series deficit to 2-1 and keeps San Antonio alive.
After the game, NBA champion Jeff Teague noted that the sheer volume of celebrities and huge distractions essentially doomed the Knicks from the get-go.
Jeff Teague Blames the Chaos for the Knicks’ Game 3 Loss to the Spurs
Game 3 between the Spurs and Knicks featured a ton of celebrities and President Donald Trump in the building as everyone flocked to Madison Square Garden for the Knicks’ first home game in these NBA Finals.
But the overwhelming carnival-like atmosphere may have worked against the home team. On the latest episode of the Club 520 podcast, Teague noted that this circus likely hurt the Knicks.
“I told you guys it was too much. Too much going on with that Game 3,” stated Teague. “Like, as far as all the fans and you got certain people pulling up to the game that never pull up to games. That was crazy. You got every star that ever existed came to the game.
“I mean, it was lit in the building… But it was just too much going on. You got another broadcast. It was just all type of crazy stuff ready for this moment. I knew that they was going to lose. That’s how sh*t go for the Knicks.”
Jeff Teague says he knew the New York Knicks were going to lose game 3 against the spurs . Too many things was happening in that stadium tonight pic.twitter.com/467vHvkQNQ
— joebuddenclips/fanpage (@Thechat101) June 9, 2026
To Teague’s point, players talked about how the additional security for the president changed their typical gameday routine, as they had to arrive at the arena earlier than usual.
Co-host Bishop “B Hen” Henn added: “They supposed to celebrate tonight. But the party got canceled.”
MORE: ’25 Shots… How Does That Happen?’ — Stephen A. Smith Points Finger at Jalen Brunson After Knicks’ Game 3 Loss to Spurs
Despite the Knicks’ dominant second quarter and halftime lead, the Spurs turned the second half into the Victor Wembanyama show. The Defensive Player of the Year finished with 32 total points, tying Jalen Brunson for the game-high. Wemby also chipped in 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks, while shooting 11-of-18 (61.1%) from the field, 2-of-4 (50%) from deep, and 8-of-9 (88.9%) from the charity stripe.
Stephon Castle had 23 points, while De’Aaron Fox and Julian Champagnie each scored 12. With the series now 2-1, the Knicks’ momentum has stalled, and the Spurs have some confidence.
The teams will meet again at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 10, for Game 4.
