Victor Wembanyama Spotted Relaxing Unexpectedly Ahead of Game 3 vs. the Knicks

Winning the NBA Finals was always going to be tough for the San Antonio Spurs, given the New York Knicks' red-hot 11-game winning streak entering the series. That streak has now grown to 13 after New York won both games in San Antonio. To get back into the series, the Spurs need victories in Games 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden. And ahead of Monday's matchup, Victor Wembanyama has taken a rather unconventional approach to preparing for the challenge.

Wembanyama, who has had a tough first two games of his Finals debut, was spotted not practicing his shots or doing an intense workout, but instead taking a more zen approach. He was seen sitting on a bench at Gramercy Park, around 10 minutes away from Madison Square Garden.

If Wemby and company admitted they were feeling tense, no one would blame them. If they decided to lock themselves in the gym to focus and prepare, that would be understandable, too. But this was a bit more eyebrow-raising.

He wasn't just there to admire the view, though. He had a sketchbook in hand and was drawing something in front of him.

Taking time to sit in a park and sketch is certainly a unique way of getting ready for a must-win game. But Wemby has already shown that he unconventionally prepares his body.

This past offseason, Wembanyama traveled to the Shaolin Temple in China, where he trained with monks. Following an early end to his 2024-25 season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, he underwent a unique regimen focused on both his body and mind. Part of that experience included a trek through a mountain path in the dark to reach a cave.

He's been known to read books prior to games to help him focus. This habit went viral during the 2026 All-Star game, when Nikola Jokić noticed and pointed it out.

He aims to get 10 hours of rest each day, which includes putting his phone on airplane mode after 9 p.m. When games finish late, he wears blue-light-filtered glasses to keep his sleep cycle consistent.

And those changes have paid off in many ways.

In just his third NBA season, Wembanyama has taken another leap, becoming the youngest Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history and the first unanimous winner of the award.

He was also among the finalists in the MVP race this season (finishing behind SGA and Nikola Jokic) while averaging 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game during the regular season.

Wembanyama continued performing at a high level in the playoffs and even won Western Conference Finals MVP (29.4 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 4.3 APG, 3.8 BPG) as he dethroned the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder to set up a Finals showdown with the Knicks.

But now, where the lights are at their brightest, Wembanyama needs a different approach to make this season even more successful.

Victor Wembanyama Needs to Play Differently in Game 3

The San Antonio Spurs system centers around Victor Wembanyama both offensively and defensively. Against the Knicks, his defense has been respectable, but his offense has been questionable, to put it mildly.

In Game 1, he shot 28.6 percent, making only 6 of his 21 attempts. He also turned the ball over six times, which played a factor in the team's loss.

The Spurs still led by as much as 14 points in the third quarter. However, without Wemby dominating, the Knicks quickly erased that lead.

Game 2 was a closer battle than the first one, but the Knicks still ended up snatching it from right under the Spurs' noses. With the score tied at 104, Wemby made an egregious pass toward Stephon Castle, whose back was turned.

The ball bounced right off Castle's back, and Jalen Brunson capitalized by stealing it. He was fouled by Wemby, which led to him taking two free throws, which he split. In the ensuing play, Wemby missed the potential game-winner.

He admitted after the game that he felt "blurred" by the loss and accepted the blame. Now, with his back against the wall heading into Game 3, it's a prove-it moment for the Frenchman.

“I need to have more poise, more control over the game. I’m not going to go through the whole possessions, but that’s the general image," Wembanyama said postgame.

This game was ours. But at this point, it’s done. Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and us in the next game? Yes, absolutely," he declared.

The Spurs' success is tied directly to how well Victor Wembanyama steps up and leads. If the first two games are any indication, he'll need to raise his level if San Antonio is going to mount a comeback.