Spurs survive injury scare to Wembanyama, rally to beat Knicks 134-132 in NBA Cup final rematch

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Julian Champagnie had a career-high 36 points and set a franchise record with 11 3-pointers and the San Antonio Spurs survived an injury scare to Victor Wembanyama, rallying to beat the New York Knicks 134-132 on Wednesday night in a rematch of the NBA Cup final.

Wembanyama finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes before limping off the court with an apparent leg injury with under 11 minutes remaining. He returned to the bench in warmups in the final minutes.

New York's Jalen Brunson had 29 points, including a 3-pointer at the close of regulation after stripping Keldon Johnson of possession as he celebrated with San Antonio's bench. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordan Clarkson added 20 points apiece for the Knicks, who had a three-game winning streak halted.

Wembanyama hobbled off the court unassisted with 10:32 remaining, heading to the locker room after injuring his left leg. He had soared to gather an offensive rebound over Towns and lost possession when he landed. Replays showed there was no contact, but Wembanyama’s left foot slid forward and his knee appeared to hyperextend.

Wembanyama returned to San Antonio's bench with 1:22 remaining, walking calmly and without a limp. It was a good time for the 7-foot-4 center to return. Wembanyama cheered from the sidelines as the Spurs held on to beat the Knicks to snap a two-game skid.

Champagnie scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, going 4 for 5 on 3-pointers, as San Antonio erased a double-digit deficit.

Champagnie finished 11 for 17 on 3-pointers, besting the previous mark of nine 3s set by Chuck Person on Dec. 30, 1997.

New York outscored San Antonio 28-27 in the second quarter, but it would have been much worse without Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 center had 16 points in the second period.

Wembanyama brought the sell-out crowd to its feet with a one-handed slam off an alley-oop pass from Castle that cut New York's lead to 54-50. The Knicks responded with a 17-2 run following a timeout and Wembanyama's exit, including 14 straight points to cap the surge.

Wembanyama returned to help pare the deficit to 73-63.

Champagnie hit back-to-back 3-pointers, capping a 16-2 run that tied the game at 86 midway through the third.

Wembanyama made his 300th career 3-pointer, becoming the fastest to do so among 7-footers and accomplishing the feat in 138 games. That beat the previous mark of 141 games by Utah’s Lauri Markkanen.

Knicks: Host Sacramento on Thursday.

Spurs: At Indiana on Friday.

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San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) shoots against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox, right, tangles with New York Knicks players Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

New York Knicks guard Kevin McCullar Jr. (9) passes to Knicks center Ariel Hukporti as he is guarded by San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, is fouled as he drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) and Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama says he feels fine and does not expect to miss any time after hyperextending his left knee Wednesday against the New York Knicks.

Now, whether the San Antonio Spurs agree with the center's prognosis remains to be seen. But, all sides are grateful the episode was not anything worse.

“It’s a good thing it was just a hyperextension,” Wembanyama said. "It should be minimal, whatever this thing is.”

Wembanyama left Wednesday night’s rematch with the Knicks in the fourth quarter, but returned to the bench in time to see the Spurs win 134-132.

Wembanyama finished with 31 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes as San Antonio avenged a 124-113 loss to New York in the NBA Cup final on Dec. 16.

Wembanyama took to the court after Wednesday's game to gleefully lead the newest Spurs tradition that he created — having the crowd clap their hands after each bang of the drum.

“I was confident,” Wembanyama said. "I wasn’t bad. I was this close to coming back into the game. They have to hold me back.”

Wembanyama went to the locker room with just under 11 minutes remaining, but returned to the Spurs bench with 1:22 left in the game. He was alone and walking without a limp when he returned.

“I’m feeling good, just sore,” Wembanyama said. “Very confident (he is healthy).”

Wembanyama leaped to gather an offensive rebound over Knicks enter Karl-Anthony Towns with 10:32 left in the game and lost possession when he landed. Replays showed there was no contact, but Wembanyama’s left foot slid forward and his knee appeared to hyperextend.

Wembanyama remained on the court while New York went on offense. Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk intentionally committed a foul so the Spurs could check on Wembanyama. Spurs guards Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox helped Wembanyama get up before he hobbled straight to the locker room unassisted.

San Antonio trainers, doctors and general manager Brian Wright followed Wembanyama to the locker room.

Wembanyama was heard yelling “I’ll be back” several times to the fans as he ran through the tunnel toward the locker room while emphatically throwing his hands down.

True to his word, Wembanyama quietly walked past the fans back to the bench.

It was a welcome sight for the Spurs after some tense minutes.

Wembanyama said the Spurs checked his knee while he was in the locker room, but he expects the team to conduct more tests Thursday.

Wembanyama said he expects to play Friday at Indiana.

“I expect to play in the next game, I don’t know what they’re expecting,” he said.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) goes to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, is fouled as he drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) and Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, tangles with New York Knicks players Mohamed Diawara and OG Anunoby during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)