Wembanyama made his offensive decision in a flash.
Under the Spurs' careful guidance, his individual skills and his ability to make use of his gifts were improving at a tremendous pace.
The clearest sign of that in this game was that the Knicks had barely managed to stop him so far.
That was a deadly problem.
For a team ranked at least in the league's top five in defensive efficiency, getting all but shredded by Wemby in the opening minutes was hardly a good look.
Chen Xi turned his head slightly. Even out of the corner of his eye, he could clearly see the displeasure on Van Gundy's and Thibodeau's faces on the sideline.
Back on their own offensive end.
Rose brought the ball up to the top of the key.
Then Chen Xi came off a screen on the wing, immediately launched into a drive, and accelerated into the paint.
Upon reaching the free-throw line area, he easily drew Wemby's help defense before passing to Toppin in the corner.
Toppin caught the ball and immediately fired a three.
He missed.
The ball bounced off the rim and fell into Wemby's hands.
Wemby turned and fired a long pass with a flick of his arm.
Brunson, already sprinting ahead, caught it and quickly pushed the counter-attack.
He accelerated straight into the frontcourt, then continued forcing his way toward the basket despite George's pressure.
A faint thud sounded.
To avoid the block, Brunson forced up a layup that hit the backboard and bounced back, falling into the hands of Vassell, who had trailed him down the floor.
Vassell caught the ball and immediately jumped, attacking the basket again.
This time, he finished successfully.
With Chen Xi driving deep into the paint and Toppin stationed in the corner, the Knicks still needed