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Victor Wembanyama knows the stakes in the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Cup Final rematch against the New York Knicks, despite new injury updates.
The San Antonio Spurs have been on a mostly strong stretch recently, beating the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder three times in 12 days after getting franchise star Victor Wembanyama back from a calf injury.
However, San Antonio fell to the New York Knicks in the 2025 NBA Cup Final, just one of their few losses in the month of December. But still, Wembanyama believes that loss will be fuel for his team in their rematch against the squad from The Big Apple.
Speaking before the Spurs’ New Year’s Eve contest against the Knicks, Wembanyama said that his team needs a victory right now.
“We owe them one,” Wembanyama said in a press conference. “And we owe ourselves one more than anything.”
The Knicks beat the Spurs 124-113 in the NBA Cup final, which saw standout performances from Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, and Tyler Kolek. San Antonio’s Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox each had decent showings, but it wasn’t enough against the veteran New York roster.
San Antonio After Victor Wembanyama’s Return From Injury
Getting Wembanyama back from injury in the NBA Cup semifinal against the Thunder was a big help, even though the group was still playing well with him sidelined.
But interestingly enough, now with their franchise star back in the starting lineup, the Spurs have lost their last two games. They had previously won six straight regular season games with him coming off the bench in what was a cautious approach to Wembanyama’s return from injury, but with him now starting in games against the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers, they were defeated in both by a combined 25 points.
Wembnayama’s numbers since returning from injury have been strong, but not at the level he was at before missing nearly a month. In nine December games, including the NBA Cup Final, the French center is putting up 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.1 blocks on 53.7/36/80.4 shooting splits. Still potential All-Star numbers, but a bit down from his averages both last year and the first month of this season.
It could just be an unlucky stretch for the Spurs that they’ve lost their last two games after placing Wembanyama back in the starting lineup, but still, the 7’5” 21-year-old knows his team needs to get back into the win column as they close out 2025.
In what is good news for San Antonio is the fact that the Knicks will be without Robinson, Landry Shamet, and Josh Hart for the rematch.
Spurs Injury Report For NBA Cup Final Rematch Vs. Knicks
While New York has a big injury report for the upcoming New Year’s Eve game, the Spurs also aren’t completely healthy.
Currently, they are without Devin Vassell with a right abductor strain. The wing player has been strong for San Antonio this season, but after suffering the injury in the loss to the Cavaliers, he won’t suit up against the Knicks.
Additionally, second-year guard Castle is questionable for the contest. He is dealing with a left thumb sprain, and while averaging 18.5 points, five rebounds, and seven assists on 50.3% shooting this season, his potential absence could be a big cause for concern for the Spurs.
They do have Fox and Harper to step in Castle’s place, both of whom have also been extremely good contributors this season alongside Wembanyama. But Fox has been nursing an abductor injury of his own, and like they’ve done with a number of their players this season, San Antonio could limit his minutes against the Knicks.
Regardless, Wembanyama wants to prove a point to both New York and his own team in the upcoming contest. He continues to be a consistent marvel on the basketball court, and if Karl-Anthony Towns is forced to guard the third-year center in the matchup, that could mean a big statistical night for Wemby.
Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski
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