Knicks’ Clarkson underscores readiness with Game 3 impact, reaffirms Gilas willingness

Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks celebrates a 3-point basket during the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at the Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City.

Dustin Satloff / Getty Images / AFP

NEW YORK, United States — Jordan Clarkson has spent much of his basketball career embracing whatever role is required.

NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Scoring spark plug. Veteran leader. Face of Gilas Pilipinas.

Now, during the New York Knicks' first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years, the Filipino-American guard has taken on perhaps his most challenging assignment yet: staying ready when he doesn't know exactly when his next opportunity will come.

That opportunity finally arrived Monday night (Tuesday morning Manila time).

After not appearing in Game 2 of the NBA Finals and largely falling out of coach Mike Brown's rotation during the postseason, Clarkson delivered one of his most impactful performances of the playoffs in the Knicks' 115-111 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3.

The 34-year-old guard scored 10 points in just 13 minutes, knocked down both of his 3-point attempts, grabbed three rebounds, and finished with a plus-eight rating.

More importantly, he helped spark a Knicks comeback after New York fell behind by double digits early.

With the Spurs threatening to seize complete control of the game, Clarkson buried a 3-pointer that ignited an 8-0 Knicks run. The burst trimmed San Antonio's lead to 40-38 and energized a Madison Square Garden crowd that had spent much of the opening quarter frustrated by the Knicks' sluggish start.

The momentum shift helped New York erase an 11-point deficit and eventually carry a 64-57 lead into halftime.

It was exactly the type of contribution Clarkson had spent weeks preparing for.

"A big word for us as a team has been sacrifice, and that's everybody just staying ready, one through 15," Clarkson said on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time).

"It's been like that for me all year, that's in the lineup, out the lineup, or in the rotation and not. Just staying ready, staying locked in, staying mentally prepared for whenever that time and the opportunity is called."

For Clarkson, the challenge has never been physical.

It has been mental.

The veteran guard did not appear in Game 2 of the Finals and had not logged more than nine minutes in a game since the opening contest of the Eastern Conference finals against Cleveland.

Yet when his number was called in Game 3, he immediately made an impact.

"You just got to deliver," Clarkson said. "We all want to win, so we're all sacrificing a lot of things to get the job done."

Staying ready in a championship chase

Clarkson's approach reflects the culture that has helped carry the Knicks back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.

While stars such as Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby command most of the attention, New York's bench has played a critical role throughout the postseason.

Jose Alvarado, another reserve who has provided valuable minutes during the playoffs, joined Clarkson in helping stabilize New York's second unit in Game 3.

Their contributions nearly extended the Knicks' franchise-record 13-game playoff winning streak before the Spurs rallied for an 115-111 victory behind Victor Wembanyama's 32-point performance.

For Clarkson, the preparation never changes regardless of how many minutes he expects to play.

"Just staying prepared for the moment, staying my same routine. Work hasn't changed for me," Clarkson said.

"Staying locked in. It's been the same thing every day for all of us. Just coming here, trying to make an impact when I get the opportunity and stay with it."

That mindset has helped Clarkson carve out a 12-year NBA career built on adaptability.

At 34, he is the oldest player on the Knicks roster. Across the court stands 20-year-old Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, another player with Filipino roots who has become a rising favorite among basketball fans in the Philippines.

Yet even as younger stars grab headlines, Clarkson continues to prove his value through professionalism and preparation.

Philippines still close to Clarkson's heart

While Clarkson remains focused on helping the Knicks win a championship, another goal remains close to his heart.

The longtime Gilas Pilipinas standout said he hopes to wear the national colors again if the opportunity presents itself after the NBA season.

Asked by Philstar.com whether he would like to represent the Philippines again as the country continues its pursuit of a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Clarkson made his intentions clear.

"Hopefully have an opportunity to do that and compete for the country and represent again," Clarkson said.

"But definitely right now just focused on the playoffs and finishing the goal here. But, you know, if I get an opportunity to go do that, I definitely want to."

Clarkson has become one of the most recognizable basketball figures in the Philippines since first joining the national team program.

His appearances in international competition have generated enormous excitement among Filipino fans, and his commitment to representing the country has made him one of the most popular NBA players in the Philippines.

For now, however, his focus remains squarely on the Knicks' championship pursuit.

His role may fluctuate from game to game. His minutes may come and go.

But after proving his value in Game 3, Clarkson reminded everyone why veterans remain valuable during a deep playoff run.

Whether it's helping New York chase a title or potentially representing the Philippines again in the years ahead, Clarkson plans to be ready when the opportunity arrives.

And after more than a decade in the NBA, that readiness remains one of his greatest strengths.

—

Alder Almo is a former senior sportswriter for Philstar.com and NBA.com Philippines. He is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey, and writes for US-based publication Heavy.com.