The San Antonio Spurs
and New York Knicks
had another duel that went down to the wire on Monday night, with Victor Wembanyama
and Co. defeating the Knicks 115-111 to cut New York's series lead to 2-1.
Wembanyama was the story, putting up 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals just days after his key turnover late in the Spurs' Game 2 loss put the Knicks in the driver's seat in the NBA Finals.
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As the Spurs and Knicks were fighting back and forth, things got a little chippy with Wembanyama shoving Knicks star Jalen Brunson
. Cooler heads prevailed, but afterward, some believed the play was dirty
.
Knicks Legend Urges Jalen Brunson and Co. to Get Revenge on Victor Wembanyama
The win snapped the Knicks' historic 13-game winning streak and put the Spurs back in the series, giving them a chance to regain home-court advantage with a victory in New York on Wednesday night.
However, after the game, former Knicks guard Stephon Marbury wanted to talk about a play he considered dirty.
Wembanyama clearly heard the noise that he was being too passive in the first two games, and he clearly made it his mission to assert himself in Game 3.
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He clearly did so, but his emotions got the better of him early in the evening when he shoved Brunson in the back of the neck
up near the top of the key. Brunson flew to the ground and got up to confront Wembanyama. No foul was called.
Marbury believes international-born players play a different style, which is why you see plays like this.
"Wemby is an international player," Marbury explained
. "They play dirty overseas. We're not used to playing dirty in America the way Wemby just threw Jalen Brunson."
Marbury also believes the Knicks should make sure they get some revenge on Wembanyama.
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"If I'm watching film and I see Wemby throw somebody on my team… if he throws somebody like that, I'm going to pop him in his rib cage so hard with my elbow that he's going to fall and drop to the ground, and he's going to wish he never put his hands on me."
He believes the Knicks need to do so in the next game. Not only did Wembanyama take a player to the ground, but it is the Knicks' star and emotional leader, Brunson, who only magnifies the situation.
MORE: 'That's Wack' – Former Knicks Star Calls Out New Yorkers Who Attacked Spurs Fan After Game 3
"So next game, I guarantee you after you watch that film with what he did to Jalen Brunson, you better know that whenever he get on a basketball court, you better put that knife to his neck," Marbury said.
We'll find out just how the Knicks will react on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET when Game 4 tips off. The game will air on ABC.
