After the 2026 NBA Finals wrapped up a Knicks-led gentleman’s sweep of the San Antonio Spurs, much of the conversation has shifted to evaluating Victor Wembanyama after a self-destructive postseason debut.
When the final buzzer sounded in Game 5, the 7-foot-4 French phenom skipped the traditional handshake line and headed straight for the locker room.
It capped off a rough Finals from a PR standpoint.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) ((Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images))
Earlier in the series, Wembanyama drew criticism for a dangerously hard foul on Brunson and was later caught on camera laughing in Mitchell Robinson’s direction during a heated moment.
When the reality of the loss finally set in, Wembanyama chose not to face the Knicks on the court. His postgame comments did little to clear things up, as he largely sidestepped questions about the walk-off.
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The decision opened the door for one of the NBA’s most ironic critics: notorious enforcer Draymond Green.
The same Draymond Green who has spent much of his career blurring the line between basketball and mixed martial arts is now handing out lessons on sportsmanship.
It’s not so much Green’s lack of self-awareness that is astonishing; it’s that he actually has something to offer the young Wemby when it comes to proper conduct.
On the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show,”, the Warriors veteran didn’t hold back when discussing Wembanyama’s decision to skip the handshake line.
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“Look your killer in the face,” Green advised Wembanyama.
“You gotta look them in the face. By the way, if you leave the court and you don’t look me in my face and I just beat you, I actually know that I own you forever because you couldn’t look me in the face.”
As strange as it sounds coming from Green, he’s got a point.
Win or lose, part of being a professional is facing the outcome.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts in front of Miles McBride #2 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) ((Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images))
By leaving the floor immediately, Wembanyama gave critics an easy target and allowed the story to become about his temperament rather than the Knicks’ championship celebration.
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Wembanyama remains one of the league’s brightest young stars. For him, handling defeat is part of the job.
As the presumed next face of the NBA, Wemby’s lack of maturity after a crushing loss turned off many fans who were starting to buy into his hype.
His appeal is now fair game for discussion.
Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors react during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga., on March 21, 2026. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
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