Wembanyama & Spurs Fall to Knicks in Finals

The Frenchman, who appeared unusually clumsy, explained on Tuesday that he had lost a loved one a few hours before the final.

Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs, who had led for a long time, were overthrown in the NBA Cup final by the New York Knicks 124-113, Tuesday, December 16, in Las Vegas. Head bowed at the final whistle, the Frenchman took the time to greet, with a heavy heart, the French Knicks, Pacôme Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara and his national team teammate Guerschon Yabusele, who did not come into play on Tuesday. This is the Knicks’ first title since 1973.

Substitute at the start of the match, as in the semi-final on Saturday, a sign of caution after a month of absence due to a calf injury, “Wemby” did not display the bite that had been his during the exploit against the Thunder, often appearing out of time in defense, and sometimes clumsy in attack. A little over an hour after the match, Wembanyama appeared with a serious face at a press conference, listened to a first question, but could not hold back his tears, explaining “going through a difficult time” after losing someone “very close” during the day.

The Frenchman nevertheless explained that this evening had been “the best training for the most important matches” to come, the play-offs which he hopes to discover next spring and which he is already on “concentrate”. The 21-year-old prodigy compiled 18 points and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes, with a good 3rd quarter, but will have to wait to lift a first collective trophy in the NBA, he who was voted rookie of the year in 2024 and selected for the All-Star Game in February.

The 4-way final of the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, however, gave him renewed impetus, after having been slowed down by a calf injury and kept off the court for eight months by a venous thrombosis detected in February. “We are frustrated but after 25 matches [cette saison] “We showed signs that we could be a good team that has room to improve.” stressed coach Mitch Johnson.