Victor Wembanyama’s first NBA Finals game ended with a Spurs loss, but it still placed him in rare Kobe Bryant territory.
San Antonio fell 105-95 to the New York Knicks in Game 1 at Frost Bank Center, wasting a night that still showed how quickly Wembanyama can turn a rough game into history.
The loss matters more in the series. The record matters because it shows how high the floor already is, even when Wembanyama is not sharp.
Victor Wembanyama joins Kobe Bryant with rare NBA Finals record
The note from ESPN Insights highlighted Wembanyama becoming the youngest player with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in an NBA Finals game since Bryant in 2001.
Wembanyama reached it with 26 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocks in 38 minutes. At 22 years and 151 days old, that is a serious Finals debut benchmark.
Bryant was also 22 during the 2001 Finals. His comparable 25-10 night came in Game 5 against Philadelphia, when he had 26 points and 12 rebounds as the Lakers closed the series.
Wembanyama did not get that ending. But sharing any age-based Finals marker with Bryant shows how unusual his playoff rise already looks.
Knicks loss exposed Spurs issues around Wembanyama
The record came inside a messy game. Wembanyama shot 6-for-21, committed six turnovers and looked uncomfortable when Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson crowded his space.
He still pushed back late. He scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds, briefly pulling San Antonio back into control before a late turnover helped New York finish the job.
The Knicks closed stronger because Jalen Brunson scored 30 points and controlled the late possessions. New York also protected the ball better when the game tightened.
Game 2 has to be about cleaner touches, stronger rim pressure and fewer possessions where New York turns Wembanyama’s size into difficult shots.
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