Skip Bayless has backed Draymond Green’s concern over Victor Wembanyama after Jalen Brunson’s injury scare in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
The New York Knicks’ win over the San Antonio Spurs already had enough drama, but Harrison Barnes falling into Brunson’s knee gave the series another flashpoint.
Brunson returned and finished the game, yet the moment still created anger because of how close it came to becoming much worse.
Green then raised questions about Wembanyama’s role in the Spurs’ physical edge, and Bayless made clear he was not dismissing the accusation.
Skip Bayless backs Draymond Green’s warning on Victor Wembanyama
Skip Bayless on X reacted to Draymond Green’s comments after Harrison Barnes fell into Jalen Brunson, tying the Victor Wembanyama debate to an earlier Jared McCain controversy.
“Here we go again with Wembanyama being accused of and appearing to tell teammates to ‘go get’ an opposing player – first Jared McCain, now Jalen Brunson,” Bayless wrote.
He added, “I believe that in this case, Draymond knows what he’s talking about. Such a bad look for the new ‘face of the league.'”
Bayless’ post cut straight at Wembanyama’s growing image. The Spurs star is being pushed as one of the NBA’s next defining faces, but these accusations create a very different conversation around his leadership.
The Brunson incident itself was alarming enough. Barnes lost balance and went down into Brunson’s knee area, sending the Knicks guard to the locker room before he later checked back in.
Victor Wembanyama faces Jalen Brunson and Jared McCain scrutiny
The reason Green’s comments carried weight is the earlier McCain episode. During the Western Conference Finals, Wembanyama was accused by fans and analysts of signaling teammates before hard contact on Jared McCain, though nothing was officially proven.
That history made the Brunson moment easier for critics to connect. Green did not need to make a loud accusation for the implication to travel, because the pattern was already sitting there for people who remembered the Thunder series.
Wembanyama and the Spurs will reject the idea that their physicality crosses a line, and the NBA has not confirmed any wrongdoing. Still, Bayless’ point is about perception as much as proof.
For a player being framed as the league’s future, even the suggestion that teammates are being sent to “go get” opponents is damaging. Wembanyama now has to answer with clean basketball, not another controversy.
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