How New York Knicks, Mitchell Robinson Plan to Stop Victor Wembanyama

Mitchell Robinson's stellar start to the 2023-24 season faces a formidable challenge when his New York Knicks face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

Nearly 25 years ago, the New York Knicks had trouble with the San Antonio Spurs' interior and it cost them the NBA Finals.

Victor Wembanyama obviously isn't at the level of Tim Duncan or David Robinson just yet. But if his next thousand games are anything like his first seven, his No. 1 jersey will undoubtedly hang from the rafters of Frost Bank Center next to 21 and 50 ... though, San Antonio hopes, not any time soon. 

Wednesday's matchup between New York and San Antonio (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) obviously carries none of the stakes of the 1999 Finals but its nationally televised nature will provide each side a chance to make a visible statement at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks (3-4) will look to form their first winning streak of the season after a convincing win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday while the Spurs (3-4) are well on pace to surpass last year's 22-win effort.

The obvious star attraction and difference in San Antonio is the 7-4 Wembanyama, the multi-talent phenom and the top pick of last summer's draft. Wembanyama, 19, has lived up to the hype and then some over his first seven professional outings, averaging 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. 

“He’s one of the most mature 19-year-olds I’ve ever been around," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said of Wembanyama, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. "His character is incredible. His view of the world is mature. He understands who he is, he feels comfortable in his own skin. He knows that all the hype that has been pretty thick, everywhere, is something to be ignored. He realizes he has work to do."

"Talent is talent, but he’s going to channel that and figure out exactly what his game should be.”

Mitchell Robinson (23) will likely draw Victory Wembanyama duty on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden / USA TODAY SPORTS

Of course, there has to be a victim of Wembanyama's nightly showcases and the Knicks are well aware of the interior challenge ahead.

Starting center Mitchell Robinson has been one of the most valuable Knicks in the early going, currently leading the Association in offensive rebounds (45). The unique challenge of Wembanyama led Robinson to compare him to an eclectic mix of previous seven-footers. 

“I’m going to play him just like he’s one of those like Kristaps Porzingis-kind of (players)," Robinson said after Monday's win, per Ian Begley of SNY. "Who else plays like that? Bol Bol? Just got a mix them two together. I kind of got a feel of how it should go. He’s going to be on the perimeter a lot, so I’ve just got to move my feet ... just got to get ready for that.”

Wednesday's Manhattan setting adds a new layer of intrigue to the proceedings: superstar opponents making statements at Madison Square Garden is, alas, commonplace in the new century and a touted prospect like Wembanyama is built for big games on New York's biggest stage.

The Knicks' own big men, however, are happily embracing the challenge and a chance to vocally rise from their early slump. 

"I think we’re excited. Me and Mitch don’t back down to really anybody, so we’re both excited for that matchup," backup center Isaiah Hartenstein said, per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. "Having a guy like that, what he’s been doing, defensively, offensively, all of it, really good for the league.”