Victor Wembanyama NBA Finals 2026: Game 1 Stats, Injury & Game 2 Preview

Victor Wembanyama made his NBA Finals debut on June 3 and walked off with 26 points, 12 rebounds, a scary ankle moment, and a loss. The New York Knicks erased a 14-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95, stealing home-court advantage in Game 1.

The 22-year-old Spurs center scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Game 1 on June 3. The Spurs lost 105-95 to the Knicks after blowing a 14-point third-quarter lead. Wembanyama also suffered an ankle scare but said after the game he expects to play in Game 2.

The Spurs controlled this game for three quarters. Then it collapsed in under four minutes. San Antonio led by 14 in the third, playing at home, with Wembanyama looking every bit the generational talent. A late ankle scare briefly pulled him from the floor. The Knicks attacked immediately and closed on an 11-0 run. A late Wembanyama turnover killed the last real chance. Jalen Brunson scored 13 of his 30 in the fourth alone, sealing a 105-95 win and a 12th straight playoff victory for New York. Wembanyama finished 6-of-21 with six turnovers.

Two things happened Wednesday night that sent social media into overdrive. First, the loss: San Antonio had never lost a Game 1 of the Finals in franchise history. That streak is over. Second, the limp. Late in the third, Wembanyama jumped for an offensive rebound, landed awkwardly, and his left foot slid forward. He waved off medical staff and returned, but the image of the Spurs' franchise player hobbling at the worst moment is the one the internet locked onto.

• Game 1 stats: 26 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, 6 turnovers, 6-of-21 shooting
• Injury: Left ankle scare, expected to play Game 2 on Friday
• WCF MVP: 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.7 blocks vs Oklahoma City
• Age: 22, 7'4", in his third NBA season
• Series: Knicks lead 1-0, Game 2 Friday in San Antonio

Nothing about this run has been smooth. In Round 1 against Portland, he fell face-first and entered concussion protocol. In Round 2 against Minnesota, he picked up a flagrant 2 ejection. In the Conference Finals, the Spurs trailed Oklahoma City 3-2. He responded every single time. He was unanimously named WCF MVP and posted 22 and 7 in a Game 7 win. The Spurs are in the Finals for the first time since 2014, and a 22-year-old from France is the reason.

Karl-Anthony Towns spent most possessions guarding him one-on-one, with OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson rotating in. The Knicks toggled three different defenders all night, something Oklahoma City did not have the personnel to do. New York also dominated second-chance points. Outside of Julian Champagnie's five threes, the rest of the Spurs shot 18.2% from deep. As a team San Antonio shot 36%. That will not win a Finals game. See our full <a href="/blog/karl-anthony-towns-victor-wembanyama-stats-knicks-finals">KAT vs Wemby breakdown</a>.

Wembanyama losing Game 1 is not a crisis. It is a pattern. This entire postseason has followed the same script. He faces a scare, looks beatable, then comes back and takes over. The Knicks are a complete team with a real defensive plan. But Wembanyama now has film on how they attacked him. He is healthy enough to play. And Game 2 is still at home.

Watch for adjustments in how the Spurs create easier looks for Wembanyama early, and whether the Knicks can replicate Brunson's fourth-quarter magic on the road. For more on the series, see our <a href="/blog/jalen-brunson-knicks-vs-spurs-nba-finals-2026">Knicks vs Spurs Finals preview</a>.