The New York Knicks are NBA champions for the first time since 1973, and the celebration quickly turned sour. After a tense Finals series against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, old flashpoints from the matchup resurfaced almost immediately.
From Wembanyama’s Game 3 shove on Jalen Brunson to the postgame handshake controversy, the aftermath added another layer to a series that already felt personal. The title is now New York’s, but the conversation around Wembanyama has not slowed down.
Knicks snap 53-year title drought
The Knicks captured their first NBA title since 1973 by beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games. New York closed the series with a 94-90 win in San Antonio, ending one of the longest championship waits in franchise history.
The run was historic in more than one way. The Knicks finished the playoffs 16-3, put together a 13-game postseason winning streak, and repeatedly erased large deficits during the Finals.
Jalen Brunson anchored the championship push and earned NBA Finals MVP honors. His late-game scoring and leadership became the defining thread of New York’s title run.
The finals rivalry started months earlier
Tension between the Spurs and the broader basketball conversation did not begin in the Finals. In December, Wembanyama drew attention after describing San Antonio’s style as “pure and ethical basketball” following an NBA Cup semifinal win over Oklahoma City.
The comment followed him for months. Some fans and commentators viewed it as a subtle jab at more isolation-heavy styles around the league, and it became part of the backdrop once the Spurs reached the Finals against New York.
Game 3 raises tensions in the series
San Antonio’s only win of the series came in Game 3, when Wembanyama finished with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and two steals at Madison Square Garden. His performance kept the Spurs alive, but it also came with controversy.
During the first quarter, Wembanyama shoved Brunson on a play that was not called a foul in real time. The NBA later did not upgrade the play to a flagrant foul, though the missed-call discussion added more heat to the series.
Wembanyama leans into villain status
After Game 3, Wembanyama was asked about becoming a villain figure in New York. He said the label was fair, but joked that he was still nowhere near Trae Young’s level.
The answer showed he understood the atmosphere around him. Between the December comment, the Game 3 incident, and the intensity of Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden, Wembanyama had become one of the main characters of the Finals.
Fun fact: Wembanyama is listed at 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot wingspan, giving him roughly an eight-inch wingspan advantage over his height.
Fun fact: Wembanyama is listed at 7-foot-4 with an 8-foot wingspan, giving him roughly an eight-inch wingspan advantage over his height.
Wembanyama skips postgame handshake line
Wembanyama added another chapter to the storyline after the final buzzer in Game 5. He left the court without taking part in the usual postgame congratulations, drawing criticism from fans, media voices, and veteran players.
The NBA does not have a formal handshake tradition like the NHL, but the moment still became a major talking point. For some, it reflected the pain of losing a championship series. For others, it looked like a missed chance to acknowledge the Knicks’ achievement.
Brunson steals the show at the title party
Brunson kept his focus on basketball for most of the series, even as questions around Wembanyama continued to build. Once the Knicks secured the championship, however, the mood around New York’s celebration became far less restrained.
A celebration clip circulated online showing Brunson directing a profane message at Wembanyama while raising a toast with teammates. The moment spread quickly and became one of the most talked-about scenes from New York’s title celebration.
Green reacts to postgame snub controversy
Draymond Green also weighed in on Wembanyama leaving the court without acknowledging the Knicks. The Warriors veteran criticized the move and said young stars have to learn how to face opponents after painful losses.
Green suggested Wembanyama should reach out to Brunson and clear the air. His reaction turned the handshake debate into a broader conversation about sportsmanship, rivalry, and how young superstars handle defeat.
Next steps for Wembanyama after Finals loss
Despite the disappointing finish, Wembanyama remains one of the most talented young players in the entire league today. He earned unanimous Defensive Player of the Year honors in just his third NBA season at only twenty-two years old, an impressive feat by any reasonable measure.
The rivalry between Wembanyama and the Knicks will likely simmer through the offseason and into next year’s matchups. Brunson’s toast and Wembanyama’s tunnel walk have already become lasting symbols of a dramatic Finals matchup that the basketball world will keep discussing for years.
Little-known fact: As an 11-year-old, Wembanyama was once mistaken for an assistant coach due to his height.
TL;DR
- The Knicks won their first NBA title since 1973, beating the Spurs in five games.
- Jalen Brunson earned Finals MVP and later toasted an explicit message to Wembanyama.
- The rivalry traces back to Wembanyama’s December comments about ethical basketball.
- A Game 3 shove on Brunson went uncalled and fueled fan anger toward Wembanyama.
- Wembanyama skipped the handshake line, drawing criticism from fans and Draymond Green.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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