--- title: "Knicks Aim to Put Spurs in 3-0 Hole at Madison Square Garden" description: "After stealing two in San Antonio, New York returns home with a chance to all but end the series against the 62-win Spurs." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/new-york-takes-2-0-lead-into-game-3-against-san-antonio-a386b22b published: 2026-06-10T00:36:49.267+00:00 updated: 2026-06-10T00:36:49.267+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Knicks Aim to Put Spurs in 3-0 Hole at Madison Square Garden > After stealing two in San Antonio, New York returns home with a chance to all but end the series against the 62-win Spurs. The New York Knicks have a chance to seize control of the NBA Finals series tonight. After stealing Game 1 and Game 2 in San Antonio, they return to Madison Square Garden with a 2-0 lead. A win in Game 3 would put the Spurs in a 3-0 hole from which no NBA team has ever recovered. The Spurs finished the regular season with a 62-20 record, the second best in the West. They have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, but that advantage evaporated quickly. Losing both games at home has forced the Spurs into a demanding position. They must now win four of five against a Knicks team that has outplayed them in nearly every facet. The Knicks have not just won; they have controlled the pace. Their defense has disrupted the Spurs’ half-court sets and forced turnovers that lead to transition points. At home, with the crowd behind them, that intensity could rise further. For San Antonio, the margin for error is gone. Falling to 0-3 would essentially end their championship hopes. The tactical adjustments needed are significant, and the mental toll of facing elimination in Game 4 could be overwhelming. What's next: Game 3 tips off tonight at 8:30 PM ET from Madison Square Garden. ## Why this matters A 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals is historically decisive. Teams up 2-0 advance over 90% of the time. The Spurs, who finished 62-20 and second in the West, now face the grim reality that one more loss puts them in a 3-0 hole no team has ever climbed out of. Their championship aspirations depend on immediate adjustments, but the Knicks smell blood. This game isn't just important for the series outcome; it's a referendum on whether the Spurs' regular-season dominance was a mirage or the foundation for a comeback. ## Frequently asked ### Why is a 2-0 lead considered so dangerous for the Spurs? Teams up 2-0 in NBA playoff series have advanced 94.6% of the time. No team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. A Game 3 loss would put the Spurs on the brink of elimination after a 62-win season. ### How did the Knicks steal the first two games in San Antonio? New York relied on stifling defense, forcing turnovers and limiting the Spurs' half-court execution. They controlled the pace and got key contributions from role players. The Knicks outrebounded and outhustled San Antonio on their home floor. ### What is at stake for the Spurs in Game 3? The Spurs face a must-win scenario. Losing Game 3 would send them to a 0-3 deficit, effectively ending their Finals hopes. Beyond the series, it raises questions about their ability to compete against a physical opponent after a dominant regular season. ## Sources & Citations - [New York takes 2-0 lead into game 3 against San Antonio](http://www.espn.com/nba/preview?gameId=401859965) — ESPN (2026-06-07) --- Cite: Knicks Aim to Put Spurs in 3-0 Hole at Madison Square Garden. Sportopod, 2026-06-10. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/new-york-takes-2-0-lead-into-game-3-against-san-antonio-a386b22b