The San Antonio Spurs are going to need the best version of Victor Wembanyama to beat the Knicks in the NBA Finals. Game 1 was far from an ideal start. Wembanyama shot 6-of-21 from the field with two assists and six turnovers during the Spurs' 105-95 loss on Wednesday.
San Antonio led by 14 in the third quarter but was outscored 54-30 to close the game. Following the loss, Shaquille O'Neal challenged Wembanyama, saying the Spurs star needs to ramp up his assertiveness in Game 2.
“San Antonio definitely needs to adjust. [Mitch Johnson] said they have to get Victor the ball a little bit more inside. But for Victor, you gotta play better,” O'Neal said. “The way he played was not good enough. [Shooting] 6-for-21 is not going to get it done. Shooting 10 three-pointers is not going to get it done. So you've gotta make some self-adjustments and mental adjustments, and you have to say, ‘We cannot lose Game 2.”
Wembanyama controlled most of the game defensively for the Spurs but struggled against the Knicks' physicality on the other end.
Victor Wembanyama struggles offensively during Spurs' Game 1 loss vs. Knicks
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) moves the ball past New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first quarter during game one of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.
Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
New York had a clear directive to prevent Wembanyama from getting clean looks around the rim at all costs. The Spurs center had just one dunk and two layups on the night. When he did get around the basket, the Knicks often fouled him, as he attempted 13 free throws and made 12.
Karl-Anthony Towns drew the primary assignment on Wembanyama and prevented him from gaining position on the interior throughout the game. Wembanyama shot 2-of-11 with one assist and five turnovers when Towns was the primary defender. Meanwhile, San Antonio's supporting cast struggled to knock down open looks, shooting 9-for-34 (26.5 percent) from three.
Wembanyama's ability to match the Knicks' physicality and Mitch Johnson's ability to scheme him open will be a main storyline to watch in Game 2.
The San Antonio Spurs are going to need the best version of Victor Wembanyama to beat the Knicks in the NBA Finals. Game 1 was far from an ideal start. Wembanyama shot 6-of-21 from the field with two assists and six turnovers during the Spurs' 105-95 loss on Wednesday. San Antonio led by 14 in the third quarter but was outscored 54-30 to close the game.