New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs: 5 Questions With a Spurs Expert

AllKnicks.com spoke with Spurs expert Matt Guzman to preview the New York Knicks' Wednesday night home showdown against the San Antonio Spurs.

The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are ready for a Garden party like it's 1999: the two teams have a nationally televised chance to make an early statement when they do battle in Manhattan on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). 

Wednesday's headliner will be Victor Wembanyama's first steps on Madison Square Garden hardwood. While he has had little issue with transferring his unique skillset to the professional level, he'll be facing a Knicks group that's eager to form its first winning streak of the season after a convincing 111-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

This will be the first meeting between the Knicks and Spurs as they do battle in the 25th year since their five-game NBA Finals showdown claimed in San Antonio. A rematch is slated for late March at Frost Bank Center.

With that in mind, All Knicks spoke to Spurs expert Matt Guzman about what to expect in Wednesday's showdown from a Texas perspective.

Nov 6, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse / © Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Q: Let's get it out of the way: how has Victor Wembanyama adjusted to the professional game so well, so quickly?

MG: As much as non-Spurs fans hate to admit it, Wembanyama is truly a one-of-a-kind talent. He isn't anything that's ever been seen before. Sure, he has height that we've seen before, and a jumpshot like we've seen before. You could even argue his demeanor is similar to Tim Duncan, but one thing for certain is that we haven't seen a combination of all of those things before. 

That goes for NBA players as well. 

You can prepare through film as much as you'd like, but most of the time on the court, players are having to adapt to his play style in live time — 3-point lob attempts and all. His early talent is showing, and his height advantage really has made him a weapon.

Q: Beyond Wembanyama, what's the biggest reason why the Spurs are on pace to surpass last season's 22-win total?

MG: Gregg Popovich said it best: last season was a development year. The Spurs were losing games, but they weren't just sitting there waiting for 48 minutes to expire and another loss to be added to their record. They were experimenting. Different lineups, different plays, different combinations of players — all of it. San Antonio retained a huge portion of their core from last season, and as a result, all of those players were able to develop evenly. From the top on down. 

Guys like Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and even Zach Collins got their chance to find their play style, and are now proving that early on. Wembanyama is still the undisputed focus of attention on this young roster, but the talent is there, and well developed. 

Q: Devin Vassell likely won't play on Wednesday. What do the Spurs lose with him on the sidelines and who steps up in his place?

MG: Right now, Devin Vassell is the Spurs' best scorer. The talent he has to knock down fadeaway jumpers, distribute the ball and knock down deep shots is unique to him. He has a smooth game, and the Spurs will be missing an almost-guaranteed top-tier performance with him out. 

To plug that hole, they'll have to look to a variety of players. Malaki Branham has gotten the start in his place the last two games, and he's proven himself as a fluid shooter, while Doug McDermott has served as the Spurs' instant offense from behind the arc. Between the two of them, and ideally more production from Sochan — maybe a couple more one-handed free throws? — the Spurs have the players in place, it's just a matter of whether or not they come through in a tough road environment.

Q: Depth stars could rule the night: Knicks fans know all about Immanuel Quickley, but what does Tre Jones bring to a San Antonio group seeking clarity and stability? 

MG: Tre Jones, in short, brings exactly that. The Spurs don't have an elite point guard on their roster — at least not right now — but look to Jones to fill that role as best he can, and he does it well. Jones is a better ball handler than Sochan and Wembanyama, and has the ability to facilitate offense in a way that keeps the Spurs grounded. No erratic passes, but rather controlled ones. 

The future is certainly clouded when it comes to Jones' long-term fit, as Sochan could be the piece Popovich is looking for at the point, but for now, he's a reliable point guard that can run a floor without careless errors.

Q: Who wins Wednesday's game and why?

San Antonio is fresh off of a pair of losses. The back-to-back didn't help their case, but now that they've got the first one behind them, I think they'll be able to regroup strongly and put up a good showing at Madison Square Garden. 

No lead is safe, even if it's north of 20 points, and both teams are looking to reach .500 again. So, with some stakes at play, give me a Wembanyama 20-point performance and a close Spurs victory.

FINAL SCORE: Spurs 112, Knicks 109