Victor Wembanyama faced a challenging situation following the San Antonio Spurs’ dramatic loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Wembanyama found himself at the center of the league’s largest comeback in Finals history. As if the defeat wasn’t tough enough, he also had to avoid objects hurled by fans post-match.
When the Spurs arrived at their hotel in Midtown Manhattan, they encountered a raucous crowd of Knicks supporters. Some held up phones to capture the team’s arrival, while others shouted profanities and chants of ‘Knicks in five.’
The atmosphere soon turned hostile. As Wembanyama stepped off the team bus, two objects were launched at him. The second projectile shattered against a street pole, narrowly missing the star player.
Local media reported that no arrests were made around the Spurs’ hotel as of early Thursday morning. Authorities were busy controlling the crowd near Madison Square Garden during Game 4. Madison Square Garden’s management had already canceled a planned watch party outside the venue, following security concerns highlighted by Knicks owner Jim Dolan.
Fan behavior throughout the Finals in New York has been intense. Earlier in the week, major scuffles broke out, leading to arrests after the Knicks’ Game 3 defeat.
The Spurs showcased dominance in the first half of Wednesday’s game, securing a 76-49 lead. By the third quarter, the Knicks had managed to reduce the Spurs’ lead to 15 points. Yet, as the fourth quarter began, the clock was running out on them.
In a spectacular turn of events in the fourth quarter, the Knicks secured a breathtaking comeback. They outscored the Spurs 32-16, edging out a 107-106 victory. The game was sealed when OG Anunoby scored the winning basket with less than two seconds remaining. This dramatic game shifted the series from a possible 2-2 tie to a commanding 3-1 lead for the Knicks, who now appear to be embracing a Cinderella story.
Mark Harris contributes to OutKick.