Victor Wembanyama beginning to engage in ‘a lot of rough stuff’: Lou Williams

Wembanyama Shines in NBA Finals Game 3

Victor Wembanyama had a significant impact in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, contributing to the San Antonio Spurs’ 115-111 victory. His physical style of play stood out this time around.

Former NBA player Lou Williams referred to Wembanyama’s approach as “dirty” during a discussion on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” sparking some debate about his aggressive tactics.

“Give credit where credit is due; Wenby is starting to do a lot of dirty work,” said Williams, who has won the Sixth Man of the Year award three times.

Chandler Parsons, who scored 32 points in the same game, acknowledged that while Wembanyama’s physicality could be beneficial, he needs to find a balance. “I think it’s better for him to do this than for him to fail or draw fouls,” Parsons noted. “But he needs to be cautious. If he goes too far, he risks being ejected, which could leave his team in a tough spot.”

One game moment that caught attention was when Wembanyama knocked Knicks star Jalen Brunson to the floor late in the first quarter. The referees didn’t call a foul, and Brunson chose not to elaborate much in his postgame comments, saying, “What you see is what you see.”

Wembanyama noted that he heard Knicks fans chanting against him, recognizing his role as the villain. “I’m nowhere near Trae Young’s level, though,” he said, referencing the former Hawks player known for bothering the Knicks in prior matches.

The Spurs established a physical presence throughout the game. Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox’s defense made it hard for Brunson and the Knicks to find space on the perimeter. On the flip side, they managed to contain Karl-Anthony Towns, limiting him to just 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting—his first quiet game in the series.

Despite having the 7-foot-4 Defensive Player of the Year on their roster, the Spurs still lost the rebound battle (46-37) and allowed the Knicks more points in the paint (46-44). However, the strong performance of the guards kept them in the game.

As Game 4 approaches, there’s definitely room for improvement if the Spurs aim to even the series. Consistency will be critical for the Knicks as well.