Victor Wembanyama got the Knicks' pressure test, and the meter kept climbing

Victor Wembanyama struggled through Game 1 as Knicks pressure took its toll

With 60 seconds remaining and Game 1 of the NBA Finals hanging in the balance, the ball rested in Victor Wembanyama's hands. Matched up with Karl-Anthony Towns on the right wing, with his evening mileage creeping on 40 grueling minutes and offensive struggles dominating his debut, the logistics weren't in his favor. He pressed on — then his body had other plans. Wembanyama lost control, Josh Hart pounced, sparking a fastbreak, a Jalen Brunson dagger, and a 105-95 Knicks win. The Spurs' overall reliance on Wembanyama defensively, asking him to cover copious amounts of space possession after possession, ultimately appeared to drain the 22-year-old. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of Wemby's struggles, "Yeah, I have to go back and look at the film."

Gobble's Take: Wembanyama shot 6-for-21 from the field and turned the ball over six times, with fatigue visibly setting in during the final minutes of the loss.

Source: Yahoo Sports NBA

The Spurs blew a 14-point lead, and Wembanyama is acting like the series just started

San Antonio had the lead, then gave it back in a Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. The Spurs turned in their worst offensive outing of the postseason, Wembanyama looked gassed down the stretch, and New York walked away with home-court advantage after the Knicks extended their playoff win streak to 12 straight games. Wembanyama still put up 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, but he also shot 6 of 21 and coughed it up a game-high 6 times. His mood? Not rattled. Not remotely. “We’ve been down in a series before, never in the Finals, obviously,” he said. “But I’m not kicking myself about anything, really. I’m not worried in the slightest.”

Gobble's Take: The Spurs lost the game, but Wembanyama is still talking like the series is in the first quarter and the bill hasn’t arrived yet.
Source: Yahoo Sports NBA

In Case You Missed It

Yesterday's top stories:

• The 27-Year Itch: Knicks vs. Spurs, Again, for Everything
• Detroit Needs Shooters. This Duke Kid Has One Skill — and It's the Right One.
• The Fever Called a Team Meeting. The Season Starts Now.
• The 'Brondello Bowl': When a Coach Walks Into Her Former Team's Gym