Despite lackluster debut, bright lights of MSG will continue to shine for Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs works against Isaiah Hartenstein #55 and RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 in New York City. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Victor Wembanyama will never forget his first game at Madison Square Garden, as much as he might like to.
San Antonio’s 7-foot-4 super rookie turned in the worst game of his young career Wednesday night as the Knicks defeated the Spurs, 126-105. Wembanyama scored most of his 14 points in garbage time. He did not make a field goal in the first half and had only six points after three quarters.
Knicks fans were only too happy to troll the much-hyped 19-year-old Frenchman, unleashing an “over-rated” chant when he went to the line at the end of the third quarter.
Here’s the rub though. You can bet that those same fans who were yelling at Wembanyama will be pleading with the Knicks to try to sign him one day when he becomes a free agent. Because rough game or not, Wembanyama has the size, tools and mentality to be a star in this game for years to come.
“He’s going to be great,” point guard Jalen Brunson said after the game. “He’s going to be a very spectacular player. He already is, honestly. I think we did a good job of playing defense on him tonight. Man, he’s going to be really good.”
Playing your first game at Madison Square Garden is a time-honored rite of passage for any young player eyeing greatness.
No one knows that more than Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who saw David Robinson and Tim Duncan score 27 and 25 points respectively in their first game on the Knicks' homecourt. Both players were named Rookie of the Year and went on to win MVPs and NBA championships. So, when Wembanyama walked into the arena for the first time Wednesday morning, Popovich wanted to make sure that he and everyone on the Spurs team understood how special playing a game here is.
"You guys are in the best arena to play basketball that you will ever be in,” Popovich said he told his players at the team’s shootaround before Wednesday night’s game. “It’s a special place.”
Even after seeing his young player get roughed up, Popovich maintained that the Garden was a special place.
“Of course, it’s [a growing experience],” Popovich said. “He’s a 19-year-old rookie who is just learning about the NBA. Of course, it’s a learning experience.”
It was the second straight game where Wembanyama has struggled. On Monday he scored just 13 points on 3-for-12 shooting in a loss to Indiana.
All young players have tough nights and you can bet there will be plenty of big nights for Wembanyama at MSG in the future. This is a league that is still searching for a young heir apparent to LeBron James as his career begins to wind down, and Wembanyama remains a leading candidate.
Ja Morant was once thought to be the most equipped to lead the new generation of players as they gradually take over for Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and James, but his two suspensions for brandishing a firearm has pretty much taken him out of contention. Zion Williamson was also seen as a contender, but he has suffered so many injuries that this now seems improbable.
Enter 19-year-old rookie Wembanyama, who led all rookies with an average of 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots over his first seven games. That includes going 38-and-10 in a win over Durant and the Suns on Nov. 2.
“He’s really lived up to the billing,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game of the Spurs No. 1 overall draft choice. “There was a lot of hype, a lot of expectations and the way he’s handled himself, the way he’s performed, credit him. He’s been very, very impressive.”
Popovich, however, feels that Wembanyama has the type of personality that can handle the pressure that comes with being tabbed as a possible future face of the league.
Said Popovich: “He’s been lauded for quite a while. He’s kind of used to that. It dosen't affect him in any way. He pretty much ignores it. His parents did an unbelievable job with him. He’s so level headed and mature for a 19-year-old and all the attention he gets. He’s able to prioritize and focus on becoming a better player. He enjoys the game and his teammates. He’s blended, in that sense, culturally very well. That’s just a tribute to his character.”
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
