Wemby Played Like A Rookie Knicks Rout Spurs

Tickets on the secondary market were going for over $200 a pop for the cheapest seats all the way up in the 400 level at Madison Square Garden. The Garden is the World’s Most Famous Arena, and it is the place where Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Reggie Miller have said is their favorite building to perform. On Wednesday night, a 19-year-old kid who many believe can one day take over the NBA, made his debut in the arena.  

Victor Wembanyama, the 7’5 rookie phenom from France who was selected number one overall in the 2023 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs took on the Knicks for the first time in his career on Wednesday night and the Knicks rose to the moment. By the end of the third quarter the Garden crowd was serenading Wemby with overrated chants as he had just two points in the game well into that third period.

The Knicks came out of the gate strong jumping out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and the Spurs did not present much of a challenge the rest of the night. They led by as many as thirty points midway through the third quarter and they held a 27-point advantage heading into the fourth. Wembanyama made his first basket from the field on a nine-foot jump shot with 3:18 to go in the third which cut the Knicks lead to 28. He grabbed nine rebounds on the night and finished the game with 14 points on 4-14 shooting. He missed all four of his three-point attempts but showed some poise making all six of his free throws. The first two of which came with overrated chants hurled his way from the Garden crowd. 

With all the hype coming into the night the lights on Broadway were bright and the Knicks frontcourt were laying for Wembanyama, and they held down their home court.  Knicks Head Coach Tom Thibodeau praised starting center Mitchell Robinson and his backup Isiah Hartenstein post game.  “We have great rim protection from both guys, but Isiah plays away from the basket more, Mitch is more offensive rebounding inside,” coach said.  “Those guys have been fantastic the whole year, they are great teammates, they are selfless, and it makes us go.”

The Knicks got point totals of 19, 23, 24, and 25 from their top four scorers Immanuel Quickley, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Jalen Brunson. None of them quite shot 50% from the field but it was an efficient performance from the Knicks who evened their record at 4-4.  The Knicks next play a Sunday matinee at the Garden against the Charlotte Hornets.