Victor Wembanyama’s biggest Game 7 moment was a stepback three from the left wing over Jaylin Williams in the fourth quarter, the kind of shot a Conference Finals MVP should be making, and the kind that turns Karl-Anthony Towns’ Finals job into a coverage puzzle.
Wembanyama finished with 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three, plus seven rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal in 42 minutes as the Spurs closed the Western Conference Finals 111-103 in Oklahoma City and reached the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2013-14 season. The stepback hit with eight minutes left and pushed San Antonio’s lead to 11.
He was also named Western Conference Finals MVP, averaging 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.7 blocks, 1.4 steals and 2.3 threes per game across the series. The 2.3 threes is the part of that line that defines the Knicks’ Game 1 problem.
The bind Wembanyama puts on Towns
Towns can play Wembanyama physically in the post. He has the size to hold ground and the offensive value to make Wembanyama defend on the other end. The geometry shifts when Wembanyama stretches the possession away from the rim, uses his handle to create space, and turns a center matchup into a wing-style closeout.
New York can live with some of that. The Knicks need Towns to contest without fouling, finish possessions with rebounds, and avoid getting pulled so far from the basket that San Antonio’s guards can cut behind the play.
Mitchell Robinson’s status changes the math
That work gets harder if Mitchell Robinson is limited by his surgically repaired right pinky. Robinson did individual work at Sunday’s practice before the team flew to San Antonio, but Mike Brown said the medical staff still hadn’t signed off. Robinson underwent surgery on a fractured fifth metacarpal late last week; the fastest recovery from NBA pinky surgery since 2005 was 14 days, and Game 1 falls about five to six days after his procedure.
If Robinson is unavailable or restricted, Towns has fewer bailout minutes behind him, and the second-unit center role thins to Ariel Hukporti or smaller looks.
San Antonio’s depth punishes overreaction
The Spurs’ Game 7 scoring was balanced enough to make a singular coverage on Wembanyama costly. Julian Champagnie hit six threes for 20 points. Stephon Castle had 16. De’Aaron Fox added 15 with three steals. Dylan Harper scored 12 off the bench. San Antonio doesn’t need every half-court possession to run through Wembanyama for his gravity to bend the defense.
If Towns sits in a deep drop, Wembanyama can step into clean rhythm threes like the Game 7 shot. If Towns climbs higher, Fox and Castle can attack the open lane. If New York sends early help, the ball moves to Champagnie, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson or Harper.
Where the Knicks’ answers come from
The cleanest counter may be rotating coverages rather than committing to one. OG Anunoby can take possessions on Wembanyama when New York wants more mobility. Towns can start on him when the Knicks want size. Robinson, if cleared, can absorb the most physical stretches and let Towns protect his fouls. Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges can chase the off-ball actions that pull Wembanyama away from the rim.
Wembanyama averaged 27.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.3 blocks in three WCF road games. Game 1 in San Antonio asks the Knicks how many different answers they can show before he finds the one he wants.
Receive exclusive NBA news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
