The San Antonio Spurs kept their 2026 NBA Finals hopes alive with a crucial Game 3 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, and now have a chance to flip the series in Game 4 on Wednesday night in New York. The comeback began with a strong dose of belief inside a young Spurs group that had already dropped two home games and faced the pressure of a hostile road environment. Rather than folding, the Spurs responded with the kind of focus, toughness and confidence that have defined their season.
A key behind-the-scenes moment came before the team left for New York, when Spurs legend Gregg Popovich boarded the charter plane and delivered a rare emotional message to the players. Popovich, now the team’s basketball president after his coaching career was interrupted by a stroke in November 2024, told the group they could still escape the hole they had dug for themselves. He encouraged them to trust their preparation and to play with confidence. De’Aaron Fox said Popovich spoke to the team for about 10 minutes and then spent time individually with players and coaches, including Victor Wembanyama.
The Spurs have leaned on belief all season. Despite preseason expectations of 44.5 wins, they finished 62-20, just behind Oklahoma City for the best record in the league. That mindset has carried into the Finals, where Wembanyama said he never panicked after the Game 1 loss and remained upbeat after Game 2. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said the team’s confidence is rooted in its makeup, not its age or experience.
Stephon Castle’s rise has also been a major storyline. The second-year guard, who won Rookie of the Year in 2025, said he long believed San Antonio was the ideal fit for him because of the chance to pair with Wembanyama. Castle’s draft process was shaped by fit more than draft position, and he ultimately ended up with the Spurs after not working out for several teams. He delivered one of his strongest playoff performances in Game 3, scoring 23 points with five rebounds and five assists.
The Spurs have since added more lead guards, including Fox and Dylan Harper, but Castle remains an important part of the team’s future. Around the league, trade chatter has also surfaced involving Sacramento center Domantas Sabonis and the Charlotte Hornets, though no deal appears close.
Off the court, the series has been overshadowed by troubling fan violence in New York after Game 3, prompting players and coaches from both teams to speak out. Meanwhile, Wembanyama’s calm routine after games was on display once again, even amid the intensity of the Finals.
