Victor Wembanyama puts hand on Jalen Brunson's head, pushes him down as refs look the other way in Game 3
NEW YORK — The NBA Finals took an unexpected turn at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, when San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama found himself at the center of controversy during a Game 3 that saw the French phenom's physical style of play scrutinized by fans and analysts alike.
The 7-foot-4 center was involved in two separate incidents that went uncalled by referees, including a first-half shoving match with Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson that left the Madison Square Garden crowd vociferously protesting.
Brunson was attempting to guard Wembanyama near the free throw line when the Spurs center placed his hand on the back of the point guard's head and shoved him to the hardwood. No foul was called, and play continued with the Knicks retaining possession.
Brunson immediately confronted Wembanyama, getting in the towering center's face. Witnesses reported that Wembanyama appeared to be smiling before Brunson returned to his duties.
The incident echoed a similar occurrence in Game 2, when San Antonio's physical approach manifested in another uncalled confrontation involving Wembanyama. This time, Brunson's backup Jose Alvarado attempted to box out the Spurs star and was wrapped up and thrown away from the play by Wembanyama. Once again, no foul was assessed.
Many observers believed the Frenchman should have been whistled for fouls in both instances. An NBA review later rescinded a technical foul assessed to Knicks center Mitchell Robinson following a separate shoving match in Game 2, though that ruling affected only Robinson's penalty.
Despite the controversy, the game itself showcased the defensive intensity both teams have displayed throughout this series. San Antonio came out firing, building an 11-point advantage after the first quarter and holding a 33-22 lead. The Knicks, however, demonstrated the comeback resilience that has defined their postseason run, chipping away at the deficit throughout the second quarter and taking a seven-point lead into halftime.
Brunson was instrumental in the turnaround, scoring 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting while adding three assists and a rebound before the break. Wembanyama countered with an efficient 15 points of his own, connecting on 6 of his 10 field goal attempts to go along with four rebounds and three assists.
The Knicks now hold a commanding 2-0 series lead and will look to close out the Finals in front of their home crowd. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, where New York hopes to complete a sweep and claim the franchise's first championship in more than five decades.
For the Spurs, the task is daunting but not impossible. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in NBA history, but San Antonio has shown fight throughout the postseason. Whether Wembanyama's physical approach can swing momentum back in their favor remains to be seen, but the young center's style has certainly added an extra layer of drama to this championship showdown.
