San Antonio forward Victor Wembanyama dragged the Spurs back into the NBA Finals series against the New York Knicks with a dominant performance inside a sold-out Madison Square Garden on Monday evening. Wembanyama was dominant on both ends of the floor as the Spurs edged a thrilling Game 3, 115-111, to go into Game 4 trailing 2-1.
Cris Carter Compares Victor Wembanyama to Dirk Nowitzki
During Wednesday’s segment of the “Fully Loaded” podcast, Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter compared NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki’s talent to Wembanyama, giving the edge to the Spurs star.
“Dirk (Nowitzki) would tell you, at 22, he wished he could shoot like Wemby. Dirk couldn’t shoot off the dribble, man. He’s a spot-up shooter. No, he cannot shoot like him. If they have a three-point shooting contest on the move, there’s no discredit. Wemby is one of a lifetime.”
Wembanyama managed 32 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on 61.1% shooting from the floor and 50% shooting from beyond the arc against the Knicks in Game 3 to drag the Spurs back into contention as they attempt to win their first title since 2014.
Dan Patrick Criticizes Wembanyama’s Fouling Reputation
In the first quarter of the intense Game 3, Wembanyama shoved Knicks guard Jalen Brunson to the floor but escaped without a foul. Ahead of Game 4, the NBA further decided not to upgrade it to a flagrant foul, causing widespread condemnation among fans and analysts.
During Wednesday’s segment of the “Dan Patrick Show,” host Dan Patrick called out the NBA officials for their decision regarding Wembanyama’s foul and blasted the Spurs forward for his increasingly rough fouls.
“There was something yesterday that was decided that Victor Wembanyama did not get a flagrant foul,” Patrick said. “The NBA went and looked. Their senior vice president of referee development and training, Monty McCutchen, admitted a foul should have been called on Wemby with the shove to Jalen Brunson’s upper body.
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“Now, they didn’t call a flagrant. They should have called a flagrant because that’s what it was.”
Wembanyama entered Game 3 against the Knicks with two flagrant points, accumulated in a Flagrant 2 in the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he elbowed Naz Reid in the jaw, leading to his ejection.
Four postseason flagrant points attract a one-game suspension, putting the NBA’s decision not to upgrade Wembanyama’s foul into sharp relief, as the forward would have been one flagrant foul away from missing a Finals game.
