Victor Wembanyama Got Away With *That* Foul, But It Wasn't Enough To Stop The Knicks' Title

Holy smokes, did you see Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night?! The New York Knicks finally clinched their first championship in 53 years, beating the Spurs 94-90 at the Frost Bank Center. But let me tell you, the story wasn't just about the Knicks raising the trophy. We got the full, unadulterated Victor Wembanyama experience, and it was absolutely wild!

Wemby’s Early Domination Was Absolutely Wild

From the jump, the 7-4 center was an absolute force of nature. Wembanyama's defense set the tone for the San Antonio Spurs, brick-walling the Knicks in the paint early on. The Spurs adjusted after Games 1 and 2, letting him play that "rover" role, protecting the paint and corners. It paid off big time, shutting down the Knicks’ offense. He had three blocks in the first four minutes alone, and five blocks in the first 14! The Knicks were limited to just 13 points in the first quarter, missing their first 13 paint shots. Seriously, they didn't score their first paint points until the second quarter. Wembanyama, at 22, came out with way more energy, too, after admitting fatigue was a factor in that Game 4 loss where he played a series-high 44 minutes. Those two days off clearly did him some good.

The Foul That Had Everyone Screaming (Or Not Screaming Enough!)

But the biggest jaw-dropper? That controversial non-call involving Jalen Brunson in the third quarter. With 5:29 left, Brunson rises for a three, makes it, and Wembanyama sticks his foot right under him! Brunson lands, turns his left ankle, and is writhing in pain. And the refs? NOTHING. No call! NBA rules are clear, folks: defenders "must give airborne shooters the opportunity to land safely," and reckless movement can be a Flagrant foul. This was huge, especially since Wembanyama had three "flagrant points" coming into the game; one more would mean a one-game suspension! He even got away with a shove on Brunson in Game 3. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns did a solid job defending Wemby early, limiting him to 3-of-10 shooting in the first half. But when Towns picked up his fourth foul just 15 seconds into the second half, benched for the rest of the third, Wemby took advantage. He dropped seven points on 3-of-4 shooting that quarter, pushing the Spurs to a 72-65 lead as the Knicks used Mitchell Robinson and ultra-small lineups. Crazy stuff!

In the end, even with Wembanyama's dominant 19 points on 7-of-18 shooting, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, his first NBA crown will have to wait. He truly believed they could come back from that 3-1 hole, saying, "Everybody thinks, everybody knows, we're going to do it." You gotta respect that fire! The Knicks celebrated their long-awaited title, and the league will be buzzing about that non-call all summer. What a series, what a finish! Can't wait to see what this 22-year-old phenom does next.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.