Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama acknowledges Trae Young amid Knicks villain aura conversation

The San Antonio Spurs stayed alive in the 2026 NBA Finals after stealing Game 3 against the New York Knicks, 115-111, on the road. Victor Wembanyama put up a huge game, recording 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three blocks as the Spurs finally put their late-game execution woes in the rearview mirror to cut into the Knicks’ lead in the series, 2-1.

Wembanyama is shaping up to be quite the foil for the Knicks in their quest to snap a 53-year title drought. Considering how the Knicks fanbase is the loudest and most raucous, out of an NBA title starvation, Wembanyama is emerging as a legitimate villain in the Big Apple.

But for the Spurs star, he doesn’t think as though his level of villainy in the eyes of Knicks fans is approaching a level that’s even close to that of the most hated basketball player in New York — Trae Young.

“I guess I’m nowhere near Trae Young’s level,” Wembanyama responded in a question regarding his villainy in Knicks fans’ eyes, via the official NBA account on X.

“I guess, but I’m nowhere near Trae Young-level, though.”

Victor Wembanyama on embracing the role of New York’s newest villain

(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/6IRXL9lnik

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 9, 2026

Young remains quite the antagonist in the eyes of the Knicks fanbase, although Wembanyama has to be approaching that level especially if the Spurs continue to make New York’s pursuit of its third title in franchise history.

Knicks fans’ hatred of Young began in the 2021 NBA playoffs. Young was driving one dagger after another into the hearts of fans in attendance at Madison Square Garden, as he led the Atlanta Hawks to a first-round series victory over New York five years ago — doing so in annoyingly flamboyant fashion.

That was New York’s first playoff appearance since 2013, and seeing it come to an end at Young’s hands, with Young actively taunting the crowd at every opportunity, has made him the most reviled basketball player in the city.

However, if Wembanyama leads the Spurs to a comeback in the NBA Finals against the Knicks, then he immediately becomes a more revolted figure than Young in MSG’s hallowed grounds.

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