Champagnie, Wemby lead Spurs comeback in Knicks thriller
A raucous night in San Antonio turned into a statement performance for the Spurs’ young core, as Julian Champagnie and Victor Wembanyama powered a furious late rally to stun the New York Knicks in a back-and-forth thriller.
For much of the night, it looked like the more seasoned Knicks group had the game under control. Their physicality on the perimeter and disciplined half-court offense kept the Spurs at arm’s length, repeatedly answering mini-runs with timely buckets. New York dictated tempo, slowed the game, and tried to grind San Antonio into a half-court battle where experience usually wins.
Then the Spurs’ energy flipped the script.
Champagnie, often cast in a complementary role, seized the moment with a confident two-way stretch that changed the tone. His cutting, spot-up shooting, and activity on the glass gave San Antonio the burst it had been missing. On the other end, his length and anticipation disrupted New York’s rhythm, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities that ignited the crowd.
Wembanyama did the rest. The rookie phenom once again showcased why he’s already one of the league’s most singular forces. His presence around the rim altered how the Knicks attacked, forcing tough finishes and rushed decisions. Offensively, he blended face-up drives, soft touch around the basket, and smart playmaking out of double teams, anchoring the comeback with poise rarely seen in a first-year player.
From a league-wide perspective, this kind of win matters for San Antonio. It’s not just another exciting home game; it’s evidence that the Spurs’ rebuild is starting to yield tangible results against playoff-caliber opposition. Rallying against a physical, defensive-minded Knicks squad underscores that their young pieces can execute in a playoff-style environment, even when the game tightens and possessions slow down.
For New York, the loss is a reminder of how thin the margin for error is against elite length and energy. For San Antonio, it’s another data point that Wembanyama is already bending games, and that Champagnie and the supporting cast are learning how to close them.
For much of the night, it looked like the more seasoned Knicks group had the game under control. Their physicality on the perimeter and disciplined half-court offense kept the Spurs at arm’s length, repeatedly answering mini-runs with timely buckets. New York dictated tempo, slowed the game, and tried to grind San Antonio into a half-court battle where experience usually wins.
Then the Spurs’ energy flipped the script.
Champagnie, often cast in a complementary role, seized the moment with a confident two-way stretch that changed the tone. His cutting, spot-up shooting, and activity on the glass gave San Antonio the burst it had been missing. On the other end, his length and anticipation disrupted New York’s rhythm, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities that ignited the crowd.
Wembanyama did the rest. The rookie phenom once again showcased why he’s already one of the league’s most singular forces. His presence around the rim altered how the Knicks attacked, forcing tough finishes and rushed decisions. Offensively, he blended face-up drives, soft touch around the basket, and smart playmaking out of double teams, anchoring the comeback with poise rarely seen in a first-year player.
From a league-wide perspective, this kind of win matters for San Antonio. It’s not just another exciting home game; it’s evidence that the Spurs’ rebuild is starting to yield tangible results against playoff-caliber opposition. Rallying against a physical, defensive-minded Knicks squad underscores that their young pieces can execute in a playoff-style environment, even when the game tightens and possessions slow down.
For New York, the loss is a reminder of how thin the margin for error is against elite length and energy. For San Antonio, it’s another data point that Wembanyama is already bending games, and that Champagnie and the supporting cast are learning how to close them.
