Wembanyama begins chase of his life’s ‘meaning’

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama celebrates a 3-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of Game 7 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs series, Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Victor Wembanyama will aim to cement his status as the new face of basketball on Wednesday when he leads the San Antonio Spurs into Game 1 of the NBA Finals against a New York Knicks squad bidding to end a 53-year title drought.

Just three years after landing in the NBA as the top pick in the 2023 draft, French superstar Wembanyama is now contemplating the first NBA Finals of his career and the realization of a childhood dream.

“Winning the Larry O’Brien [NBA championship trophy] is a childhood dream, and having a real shot at it, having a tangible chance at winning it—it’s a lifetime chance,” Wembanyama said.

“It’s hard to put into words. It’s almost like the meaning of my life.”

The 7-foot-4 Frenchman has inspired a startling transformation in the Spurs’ fortunes in a remarkably short period of time.

After winning just 22 games in Wembanyama’s first season and 34 games last year, San Antonio roared into title contention this season with a dazzling 62-win campaign.

They have followed that up with a superb march through the playoffs, culminating in an against-the-odds defeat of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a Game 7 thriller on Saturday.

It has left Wembanyama well ahead of schedule on a trajectory likely to place him among some of the greatest players ever to have graced the NBA.

Michael Jordan won the first of his six NBA championships at the age of 28. LeBron James won his first championship ring at the age of 27. Wembanyama, still only 22, could slice years off those benchmarks.

NBA Cup conquerors

Standing in the way of Wembanyama’s date with destiny, though, is a Knicks team that has already demonstrated the ability to neutralize San Antonio’s array of threats this season.

The Knicks won two out of three meetings with San Antonio during the regular season, with their victories including a 124-113 defeat of the Spurs in the NBA Cup final in December.

A high-caliber starting lineup is spearheaded by all-star guard Jalen Brunson, who is averaging just under 27 points in the playoffs.

While bookmakers have installed San Antonio as betting favorites, the Knicks will have benefited from a lengthy rest heading into Wednesday’s opener in Texas.

After completing an emphatic 4-0 sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals on May 25, the Knicks were able to recuperate while San Antonio and Oklahoma City traded body blows in their grueling seven-game series.

Nevertheless, Knicks coach Mike Brown is under no illusions about the scale of the task facing his team, attempting to capture a first NBA Finals crown since 1973.

“It’s going to be tough,” Brown said of the Spurs. “They’re well coached. They obviously have a tremendous player in ‘Wemby.’”

“They’re quote-unquote young to a certain degree, but they have some veterans on the team that kind of uplift the young guys and give the young guys a lot of guidance. So they’ve got a nice mix of players on their team,” said Brown. —AFP