The San Antonio Spurs bounced back in the 2026 NBA Finals after losing the first two games at home, coming away with a 115-111 victory over the New York Knicks inside a raucous Madison Square Garden to close the gap in the series to 2-1. And of course, it was their young phenom Victor Wembanyama leading the way.
Wembanyama finished with 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the contest and put himself in some elite company of a pair of Los Angeles Lakers legends as well. The Spurs star surpassed Kobe Bryant to become the second-youngest player to record at least 30-5-5 in the NBA Finals with Magic Johnson still holding the record as the youngest. And the Lakers’ icon admitted to being in awe at what Wembanyama pulled off:
I was in awe of Victor Wembanyama’s performance tonight – not only did he score 32 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, he also became the 2nd youngest player to have 30, 5 and 5 in the victory over the Knicks on their home court (behind some kid who played for the Lakers) 😂
The…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 9, 2026
Wembanyama is truly an unbelievable player and what he is accomplishing at this young age is special. Any time a player puts himself in a category with Johnson and Bryant says everything. And the Spurs needed every bit of that as they were in danger of going down 3-0 in the series, but they now have a chance to even the series before heading back to San Antonio.
Johnson’s performance came in that epic Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers when he played all five positions and finished with 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists to clinch the championship and Finals MVP. Coincidentally, Bryant’s performance also came against the 76ers, but in 2001 as he dropped 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the Lakers’ Game 2 victory.
Most players at that young age struggle under the bright lights of the Finals, but there are a select few that embrace the pressure and thrive even this early in their career. Both Johnson and Bryant did it and now Wembanyama is doing the same in trying to win bring home an NBA Championship.
Knicks’ Jalen Brunson feels ‘connectivity’ with Lakers’ Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality
Wembanyama is joining Bryant in the history books, but Knicks star Jalen Brunson has been embracing the Lakers legend’s famous Mamba Mentality throughout this playoff run and into the NBA Finals.
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