Victor Wembanyama Taking Heat for What He Did Immediately After NBA Finals

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama guaranteed the team would come back from a 3-1 deficit against the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.

Just a game later, though, he was seen walking off the floor after the Knicks pulled off yet another double-digit deficit to win their first NBA title since 1973. As Wembanyama left the floor, he did so without shaking hands with any Knicks player, a decision that sparked strong reaction on social media.

“Not only is he a dirty player, he's got no class. And to think the NBA wants to make him one of the faces for their league,” one person suggested while commenting on a video showing most of the Spurs leaving the floor without shaking hands save for Luke Kornet.

More NBA: Spurs Star Dylan Harper Places Blame After Knicks Game 4 Win

More NBA: Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson Gets Honest After Inexplicable Game 4 Loss

“Wemby not shaking hands with the Thunder or Knicks at the end of each series is so lame,” said another.

A third added: “Wemby of course walks off the court and doesn't shake hands, very bad look.”

The former No. 1 overall pick and reigning Defensive Player of the Year did speak with reporters after the game, making it clear he’ll use this as a learning experience for next season.

"It's painful. But I'm not running away from that," Wembanyama, who scored 19 points with 14 rebounds while shooting 7 of 19 from the field, said after the game "I'm using it to fuel me."

He averaged 26 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.6 blocks in the finals.

More NBA: Victor Wembanyama Sends Defiant Message After Embarrassing Game 4 Loss

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 1:02 PM.