The atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden is unlike anything else in basketball, and Victor Wembanyama got a firsthand reminder of that during Game 3 of the NBA Finals. In one of the loudest environments the league has to offer, the San Antonio Spurs star helped his team silence the crowd just enough to secure a crucial road win.
The Spurs edged the New York Knicks 115-111 on Monday night, cutting the series to 2-1 while also snapping the Knicks’ 13-game winning streak. Wembanyama delivered another standout performance with 32 points and 8 rebounds, matching the output of Knicks star Jalen Brunson, who also finished with 32 points.
After the game, Wembanyama reflected on the challenge of playing in the “Mecca of Basketball” with a packed crowd. However, the Spurs star wasn’t fazed by the away crowd and used the hostile environment to his advantage, similar to his veteran teammate. “At home it really feels like playing 6 against 5. And here feels like playing 5 against 6,” he said.
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The additional player refers to the crowd backing their home team. Wemby then claimed to be in agreement with Luke Kornet, who said back in April that “playoff wins on the road are a lot of fun.” The 22-year-old star ended by praising his team: “It really shows what teams are made of.”
His claims come after a strong performance at MSG. Wembanyama is averaging 29 points per game through the first three games of the Finals, slightly ahead of Brunson’s 27.3 points per contest. He has also maintained consistency in his performance regardless of whether the game is on the road or at the Spurs’ home court, Frost Bank Center.
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During the 2025-26 NBA regular season, Wemby averaged 26.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 32 home games. On the road, those numbers dipped only slightly to 23.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks in 32 games. His Game 3 performance further proves how he thrives regardless of the venue.
Now as the Spurs look to level the series in Game 4, Wembanyama again remains a key factor in the series. A poor outing by the French star could give the Knicks major momentum to win their first NBA championship since 1973. However, based on past experiences, Wemby doesn’t show any signs of slowing down in the fight for the NBA title.
