Victor Wembanyama found solace in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park on Sunday by drawing the statue of 19th-century actor Edwin Booth. This was an ideal way to clear his mind after missing a critical shot at the buzzer in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. It also helped him dominate in Game 3, keeping the San Antonio Spurs from facing elimination.
“I really tried to relax,” Wembanyama explained. “The playoffs feel like a whirlwind. I just needed some time off to let my brain cool down and recover—both mentally and physically.”
Wembanyama began Monday night’s game strong, scoring 32 points in a 115-111 victory against the New York Knicks. He achieved nine points in the first five minutes, including an alley-oop and a following dunk. Coach Mitch Johnson noted that feeding the ball to Wembanyama was part of their usual strategy.
“We never told Victor don’t shoot an open 3-point shot, even if it’s early in the game,” Johnson stated. “We wanted to put pressure on the paint and the rim.”
Wembanyama was a dominant force throughout the game. He assisted a crucial layup by Keldon Johnson to tie the score at 76 in the third quarter and later sank a 3-pointer to give the Spurs the lead. In the fourth quarter, he scored the initial basket and made six free throws. Knicks coach Mike Brown remarked on his impact, acknowledging that attention to detail was lacking.
With four minutes remaining, Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 center from France, blocked a layup attempt by Landry Shamet, reaffirming his defensive prowess. He accumulated eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks—a performance the team desperately needed to avoid falling behind 3-0 in the series.
Mitch Johnson expressed confidence in Wembanyama’s ability to rebound from his Game 2 miss and stressed that the team trusts him at critical moments. His teammates shared the same sentiment, unfazed by the previous game’s outcome.
Brown mentioned, “You hope you can make him work and that he misses some shots.”
Wembanyama missed seven shots, finishing 11 out of 18 attempts and addressing the vocal New York crowd, suggesting he may be the city’s latest nemesis. “I guess. I’m nowhere near Trae Young level, though,” he joked.
Wembanyama has the opportunity to sway the series further in Game 4 set for Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.