Nov 8, 2023; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) warms up before a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks
NEW YORK — Victor Wembanyama had an MSG debut to forget.
The Spurs rookie was blanked by a ferocious Knicks defense scoring 14 points — most of it in garbage time – on 4 of 14 shooting with three turnovers in San Antonio’s 126-105 loss Wednesday to the Knicks.
“We’re learning,” the Frenchman said after the game. “As a young team, any team really, we’re going to go through losing streaks sometimes during the season in tough times. It’s going to happen. But the most important thing is how we bounce back.”
While it’s evidently clear Wembanyama is going to develop into a special player, growing pains were expected. This is a team that won 22 games last season, and its biggest offseason acquisition was a 19-year-old.
“Of course, it’s [a growing experience],” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “He’s a 19-year-old rookie who is just learning about the NBA.”
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson was a driving force behind shutting down the the 19-year-old.
According to ESPN, Wembanyama went 0-for-6 with two airballs with Robinson as the primary defender.
“He backed up his words,” forward RJ Barrett said.
Gregg Popovich, interestingly, dismissed Robinson’s defense on Wembanyama.
“Don’t think they played against each other, all night long,” Popovich claimed, incorrectly. “There were many small guys guarding him all night long. That was not a one-on-one matchup.”
Whatever the case may be, it’s apparent Wembanayma is a special talent that will go through growing pain in his rookie season.
