After the Spurs’ Game 5 loss to the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals, Victor Wembanyama became a lightning rod for criticism. Nick Young led the backlash, calling him a “crybaby” and pointing to Wembanyama not shaking hands after the game, while Draymond
The noise started after the Spurs’ loss to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals—and Victor Wembanyama found himself at the center of it.
Nick Young, a Lakers fan favorite, went after Wembanyama in blunt terms, targeting both his demeanor and a moment from after the final buzzer: the fact that Wembanyama did not shake hands with the Knicks players.
On “Gil’s Arena,” Young said, “Let’s keep it real, Wemby is a soft baby. He’s a cried protected, baby. Everybody protecting him because he didn’t fu*king shake hands we all making excuses for this sh*t. He’s a crybaby, bro. He got more… pic.twitter.com/RQ2X1E0Eem— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) June 15. 2026In the latest episode of Gil’s Arena. Nick Young blasted Wembanyama. calling him a crybaby and directly criticizing his actions throughout the playoffs.”.
Young’s criticism didn’t stop at the handshake. He also accused Wembanyama of not taking losing well at all. saying. “He got more responsibility then everybody in the league according to some people he hasn’t took losing well at all. he out there trying to hurt motherfu*kers pushing people heads down. elbowing people he’s whining like sh*t every where we go and we still protect this man.”.
Draymond Green reacted in the same direction when he talked about Wembanyama walking off the court without shaking hands. Green framed it as a question of facing the moment—and facing the opponent.
“Look your killer in the face. You gotta look them in their face. By the way. if you leave the court and you don’t look me in my face and I just beat you. I actually know that I own you forever because you couldn’t even look me in the face. And so to see them walk off the court. it was disheartening… There’s a way to win and there’s a way to lose And walking off the court. not looking your killer in his eyes. ain’t the way to lose.”.
Both Young and Green focused on the same postgame detail—Wembanyama not shaking hands after Game 5—while the broader critique carried a bigger theme: the way a player handles disappointment when a series ends. For Wembanyama. it’s not just about what happened on the floor in the Finals; it’s also about what happened at the end of the night.
Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs New York Knicks 2026 NBA Finals Game 5 Nick Young Draymond Green handshake criticism
Handshakes are overrated, but yeah walking off like that looks bad.
So they’re mad he didn’t shake hands… I mean I didn’t shake hands after my last job interview either. Doesn’t mean he’s a crybaby lol. Sounds like ESPN drama.
Wait Nick Young called him a “soft baby” because of one handshake? I swear half the league would fail this test. Also if he was hurt or whatever then people still gonna clown him. But Draymond is acting like he’s the face of sportsmanship too… cmon.
This is why I don’t like Wemby, it’s always excuses. Like even when he loses he’s trying to do the whole “look at me” thing, not shaking hands then walking off. And the elbowing/pushing stuff, I’m not even sure if it’s true but you can just tell from the way he plays. Spurs act tough until the moment ends. Knicks probably didn’t even care, it’s just fans doing the most.