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Victor Wembanyama’s game 7 moment comes in fourth-quarter three over Jaylin Williams
Victor Wembanyama’s biggest moment in Game 7 was a stepback three over Jaylin Williams from the left wing in the fourth quarter, the kind of shot you expect from a Conference Finals MVP. It’s also the kind of play that turns Karl-Anthony Towns’ Finals assignment into a defensive headache.
Wembanyama put up 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep, adding seven rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal in 42 minutes as the Spurs sealed the Western Conference Finals with a 111-103 win in Oklahoma City. The stepback three came with eight minutes left and pushed San Antonio’s lead to 11.
He was also named Western Conference Finals MVP after averaging 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.7 blocks, 1.4 steals and 2.3 threes per game for the series. The three-point shooting is what stands out as New York looks ahead to Game 1.
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How Wembanyama changes Towns’ defensive role
Wembanyama’s ability to stretch the floor changes the matchup dynamic. He can pull Towns away from the basket, turning a centre-on-centre battle into more of a perimeter contest. Towns has the physical tools to handle post play and enough offensive skill to challenge Wembanyama at the other end, but that shifts when possessions move away from the paint.
The Knicks will be fine with some of that as long as Towns stays disciplined. His job is to contest without picking up fouls, control the glass, and avoid getting dragged so far out that it leaves openings for San Antonio’s guards to exploit behind him.
Mitchell Robinson is recovering from surgery on his right pinky and was limited to individual work at Sunday’s practice before the team headed to San Antonio.
The medical staff hasn’t cleared him yet, and even though Game 1 is still a few days away, it’s worth noting that the quickest return from a similar injury since 2005 has been two weeks. Robinson had surgery late last week.
If he can’t go, or if he’s on a minutes restriction, Towns won’t have as much support behind him. That would leave the second-unit center spot to either Ariel Hukporti or a smaller lineup.
How Wembanyama pulls Towns out of position
Towns can hold his ground inside against Wembanyama. He has the size to match up physically, and enough offensive skill to make Wembanyama work on the other end. But when the Spurs move him outside, using his dribble to create space and turn a centre matchup into more of a wing contest, things change.
New York won’t mind some of that. What they’ll need is for Towns to challenge without fouling, finish possessions by securing rebounds, and avoid drifting so far from the paint that San Antonio’s guards start finding space behind him.
If Mitchell Robinson is limited by his surgically repaired right pinky finger, this becomes much harder.
Robinson did individual work at Sunday’s practice before the team flew to San Antonio, but Mike Brown said the medical staff still hadn’t signed off.
Robinson underwent surgery on a fractured fifth metacarpal late last week; the fastest recovery from NBA pinky surgery since 2005 was 14 days, and Game 1 falls about five to six days after his procedure.
The Spurs punish overreaction with their depth
The scoring was spread out enough in Game 7 that focusing solely on Wembanyama became a problem for Oklahoma City. Julian Champagnie hit six threes on his way to 20 points. Stephon Castle added 16. De’Aaron Fox chipped in with 15 and three steals. Dylan Harper came off the bench for 12 more.
If Towns hangs back in deep coverage again, it’s more open looks like we saw in Game 7. If he steps up higher than that (which is hard with how Fox can break down help), it exposes New York’s rim protection.
If New York tries early help rotations from shooters (like taking drop-side stunts off Champagnie), then San Antonio lives with giving up short closeouts because everyone except Castle shot at least league-average on spot-up threes this season:
The best way forward might be to mix up coverages instead of sticking to just one. OG Anunoby can match up with Wembanyama when New York needs more mobility.
Towns can start on him when size is the priority, and if Robinson is available, he can handle the more physical stretches, allowing Towns to stay out of foul trouble. Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges are well-suited to handle the off-ball movement that takes Wembanyama away from the paint.
Wembanyama averaged 27.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.3 blocks in three Western Conference Finals road games. Game 1 in San Antonio will test how many different looks the Knicks can throw at him before he figures them out.
Read more:
- Don’t blink: De’Aaron Fox’s game 7 performance has the Spurs closing in on Jalen Brunson
- Brace by Mitchell Robinson sends shockwaves through Knicks’ Finals rotation — Game 1 drama ahead
- Forget fatigue: The Knicks’ week-long break became a game-changing strategy
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