Victor Wembanyama, the standout player for the San Antonio Spurs, has swiftly become the most controversial figure in New York, earning the ire of Knicks fans after a contentious game at Madison Square Garden. His performance, marked by a controversial play, marred the Knicks’ first NBA Finals home game appearance in nearly three decades.
The incident that set social media alight involved Wembanyama shoving Knicks captain Jalen Brunson in Game 3 on Monday night. While the shove was witnessed by millions online, it somehow escaped the notice of the referees on the court, igniting outrage among New York fans. Even Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg couldn’t resist weighing in, humorously suggesting that Wembanyama’s actions were so blatant that “it doesn’t take a seasoned prosecutor to know Wemby crossed the line and is guilty of a flagrant foul,” he shared with The Post.
Beyond the court, fans expressed bewilderment at how the towering 7-foot-5 center, often referred to as “The Alien,” managed to gain access to the exclusive Gramercy Park, a Manhattan locale restricted to keyholders. Observers were further intrigued when footage emerged of Wembanyama casually seated on a park bench, sketching a sculpture of Edwin Booth, the distinguished actor known to be the brother of John Wilkes Booth.
“It doesn’t take a seasoned prosecutor to know Wemby crossed the line and is guilty of a flagrant foul,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told The Post.
Fans meanwhile wondered how the 7-foot-5 center known as Wemby or “The Alien” got access to the exclusive Gramercy Park, which can only be accessed with a key.
The Spurs bully was captured on video sitting on a park bench and sketching a photo of a statue depicting Edwin Booth, a well-regarded Shakespearean actor best known for being the brother of John Wilkes Booth.
“I absolutely hate the way he treats our players, he fouled Brunson yesterday and they didn’t call it,” longtime Knicks fan Joey Amado, 28, fumed on Tuesday as the Game 3 blues set in for hopeful Big Apple residents.
“We can’t have any love for him in this city right now.”
Disdain for the 22-year-old, French-born player was rampant after his 32-point performance buoyed the Spurs to a crucial win inside Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
The Knicks still have a 2-1 game series lead over San Antonio ahead of Wednesday night’s primetime contest at the Garden.
But disgruntled New Yorkers weren’t optimistic after Knicks Coach Mike Brown ripped the imbalanced officiating in Game 3, with the Spurs given 34 free throws to the Knicks’ 22.
“It’s not personal but it is personal. We have a mission to accomplish,” Knicks fanatic Fidel Maldonado, 26, said. “Get the f–k out of the way.”
“He had a legacy game, but he be doing some dirty s–t,” Gabriel Ramos, 31, added.
Other New Yorkers called him the “villain” and “antagonist” of the Knicks-Spurs matchup.
“I think he’s the series villain for sure,” said 25-year-old Queens resident Mario Mendez, adding, “New York loves villains. The fans just need it.”
Teen Dylan Demuro even had a four-letter message for the Wicked Witch of the Western Conference in front of his father David, who brought his son from their Florida home to take in the excitement.
“F–k Wemby,” the 16-year-old said flatly, echoing a chant that broke out in the Garden on Monday.
Even a Spurs fan thought Wembanyama’s push of Brunson was downright ugly.
“It didn’t look good and I hope it doesn’t turn him into a villain,” said Sarah, 36, as she waited to ask for his autograph outside the Ritz Carlton, where the Spurs were staying during their city visit.
Wemby appeared to lean into the hate, saying at a postgame press conference Monday night he doesn’t think he’s as repudiated as other hated sports figures in New York.
“I’m nowhere near Trae Young-level,” he said with a menacing smirk in reference to the guard who helped lead his former team, the Atlanta Hawks, past the Knicks in five games in 2021. Young remains a favorite target of vulgar chants from Knicks fans at MSG even when he’s not in the arena.
Members of the Spurs earlier Tuesday received a chorus of boos — with some of the loudest reserved for Wemby — when they left their hotel for the team bus.
And New Yorkers were also ready to swat down the slender man after he was spotted relaxing and drawing in Gramercy Park, apparently clearing his head before Game 3 and having been keyed into the park by an unknown accomplice.
“That pr–k should have never come in here in the first place,” said park regular John Little, 33. “He should have never come in here in the first place.”
He said during Game 3’s postgame press conference he didn’t even know the name of the famous green space.
“Who let him in? Whoever gave him the key needs to be doxxed,” said Knicks fan Mario Mendez.
A worker at the park speculated he might have had a pal let him into the park.
“Everybody is talking about it,” the worker said. “A lot of people who come here don’t have a key and they have a friend. They said he was taking a lot of pictures.”
The Big Apple has been a buzz during the Knicks’ magical and dominant postseason run, leaving New Yorkers to embrace the Knickerbockers – and direct their ire at everyone else.
A worker at the Midtown Manhattan NBA Store on Tuesday afternoon warned a customer holding a Wembanyama jersey, “I hope you don’t plan on wearing that, this is New York City.”
“It’s not his time,” she added.
