New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview: How, Who to Watch in Victor Wembanyama's Visit

Victory Wembanyama will make his Broadway debut against a New York Knicks team hunting a winning streak.

Another skyscraper is coming to the New York City skyline, if only for 48 minutes on Wednesday night.

Seven-foot rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama will take to Madison Square Garden hardwood for the first time as the NBA returns to action with a nationally-televised showdown between his San Antonio Spurs and the hosting New York Knicks. 

Wembanyama's Manhattan arrival will steal the headlines but both sides have a chance to make an intriguing statement: the Knicks are looking to form their first winning streak of the season after earning a convincing 111-97 triumph over the NBA's latest supposed superteam, the Los Angeles Clippers, on Monday. San Antonio, while on pace to surpass last year's meager 22-win tally, is coming off an ugly 152-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers also staged two nights ago.

This will be the first of two annual meetings between the Knicks and Spurs, the couple coming in time for the 25th anniversary of their showdown at the 1999 NBA Finals (a 4-1 San Antonio victory). The two teams split last year's pair with each side successfully defending its home court. A Texas-based rematch is scheduled for late March.

What: San Antonio Spurs (3-4) @ New York Knicks (3-4)

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

When/Watch: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Who's Favored: NYK -9

Robinson (23) faces a literally tall task on Wednesday vs. San Antonio / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Keep An Eye On: Mitchell Robinson

Wembanyama isn't the only seven-footer poised to make an impact on Wednesday night.

The Knicks' defense is the primary reason why a slow start from the field hasn't fully derailed their season in the early going. At the forefront is Robinson, whose lack of scoring opportunities has caused a bit of controversy amidst a team-best defensive rating of 99. San Antonio may have to play a bit bigger on Wednesday with injuries to Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell eating away at Wembanyama's support staff. As if the teenage phenom wasn't enough to worry about Robinson will also have his interior work cut out for him against tall threats Zach Collins, Jeremy Sochan, and perhaps an extra dose of Cedi Osman.

Spur to Watch: Malaki Branham

The Knicks, and pretty much anyone who has taken the most casual glance at an NBA game this season are already well aware of what Wembanyama brings to the table. With his fellow leading scorer Vassell listed as doubtful, San Antonio's backcourt situation is set to be led by Branham, a second-year first-round pick who has struggled to find his shot after hitting 44 percent from the field last season.

"Malaki is a very talented player and he's going to get on a roll," Spurs veteran Doug McDermott said, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. "He's going to be able to handle the ball in certain situations and take over some of that scoring Devin provided."

They Said It

“It (doesn’t) matter what I do. He’s going to shoot over me, it don’t matter. I don’t know. I guess try to make it physical. We’ll see. We’ll see what the matchups are. But yeah, he’s one of those guys where it don’t matter if you’re there, you’re not there.”-Josh Hart on guarding Wembanyama (h/t Steve Popper, Newsday)

Prediction

The Knicks come in riding a wave of momentum after Monday's win and have a golden opportunity to establish something lasting: a triumph over the Spurs would secure a winning record in an early three-game home stand, which wraps up with a visit from the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. Expect the Spurs to put up a fight ... and for the Knicks not to make it easy on themselves ... but there's no reason to believe that the momentum won't continue, especially if they carry up the 35-point fourth quarter effort they had against the Clippers.

Knicks 114, Spurs 101