Victor Wembanyama was "Low on Energy" vs. the Knicks in Game 1, Claims Insider

It was Victor Wembanyama's biggest moment in his young NBA career so far, and he didn't quite rise to the occasion. Shooting just 28% in Game 1 of the Finals against the Knicks wasn't what the San Antonio faithful expected from their French superstar. But according to Brian Windhorst, there was a deeper reason behind why he didn't look his normal self on the night.

The NBA insider opined postgame that Wembanyama was simply tired. He started the game slowly, and although his teammates helped the Spurs stay within striking distance of New York throughout the night, the Knicks caught fire in the fourth quarter, burying San Antonio under a series of clutch baskets en route to a 105-95 victory.

"He might deny it, but I felt Victor Wembanyama was low on energy from the first quarter," Windhorst said. "I know the game started out frenetic. I know when the stakes are high, you sometimes see players need their second wind. I saw Victor bending over and grabbing his shorts midway through the first quarter.

I didn't think he was able to maintain a good energy flow for most of the game," Windhorst continued. "He did summon it a little in the fourth, and it was almost enough."

Windhorst claimed that Jalen Brunson sensed Wembanyama was not operating at 100%, and the Knicks took full advantage of it. Wembanyama shot just 6-for-21 from the field and struggled against Karl-Anthony Towns, who held him to 2-of-12 shooting. He still finished with 26 points, but nearly half of them came from the free-throw line, where he converted 12 of his 13 attempts.

It is worth noting that the Spurs had less rest than the Knicks coming into the NBA Finals. Their series against the OKC Thunder went seven games, concluding on May 30. Meanwhile, the Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in their ECF battle, putting them away on May 25.

After the game, even the San Antonio Spurs' star was quite critical of his own performance.

Victor Wembanyama Gives Brutal Assessment on His Own Game 1 Performance

There was no denying that Wembanyama's struggles played a major role in the Spurs' 105-95 Game 1 loss. He shot just 28.6% from the field, including an abysmal 2-for-9 from beyond the arc. He also turned the ball over six times, the type of mistakes elite postseason teams are quick to punish. Wembanyama did finish with 12 rebounds and three blocks, but that was not enough to lift San Antonio to a much-needed Game 1 victory.

After the game, Wemby did not hide his frustration with his lackluster outing. Speaking with the media, he provided a straightforward assessment of his performance.

"I was bad tonight, it's not more complicated than that," he said, underlining how his struggles contributed to the loss.

Aside from Wembanyama, point guard De'Aaron Fox was also a non-factor on offense. He finished just 3-for-13 from the field in nearly 38 minutes of action, scoring only seven points in the loss.

That said, Wembanyama has promised improvement ahead of the next game. He acknowledged that, even by his own standards, he can be much, much better than what the fans at the Frost Bank Center witnessed on Wednesday night.

"It's almost like I have to play normal, not even good," Wembanyama said postgame. "Just doing the right things is enough. … This is why I am not worried. We are going to be so much better, I'm going to be so much better."

It's exactly what Spurs fans would want to hear. The team, however, does not have much time to make adjustments before Game 2 on Friday, June 5. After that, the series shifts to New York for Game 3 on Monday, June 8.