Julian Champagnie Stuns NBA Fans With Record-Breaking Performance—Highlights, Stats & What’s Next

Brooklyn-born forward Julian Champagnie has become the surprise X-factor of the 2026 NBA Finals, giving the San Antonio Spurs an extra scoring punch as they battle the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Just four years removed from going undrafted, the former St. John’s star is averaging a career-best 11.1 points this season and erupted for 20 points on six triples in the Spurs’ Game 7 win over Oklahoma City, a performance that vaulted San Antonio back to the championship round. Champagnie’s rise began with a 36-point, 11-three-pointer outburst against these same Knicks on New Year’s Eve, a contest that showcased the 6-foot-7 wing’s refined catch-and-shoot mechanics and fearless shot selection. Playing alongside franchise centerpiece Victor Wembanyama, he has seized the open looks created by the rookie MVP candidate, drilling 40.4 percent of his attempts from deep since the All-Star break. The Finals stage also marks a homecoming. Growing up in Crown Heights, Champagnie dreamed of suiting up at the Garden; now he returns with a chance to spoil the Knicks’ first title bid since 1973. “That’s every kid’s dream,” he told reporters on media day, noting that family members who missed his breakout in San Antonio will finally see him live in the world’s most famous arena. Key to the Spurs’ game plan is Champagnie’s ability to space the floor against New York’s aggressive rim protection. When the Knicks collapse on Wembanyama’s post-ups, head coach Gregg Popovich has encouraged quick swing passes to the corners, where Champagnie is shooting 45 percent. Defensively, his 6-11 wingspan has given the Spurs a versatile option to shadow Knicks sniper Donte DiVincenzo while still helping on drives by Jalen Brunson. From Big East scoring champ to G League grinder to playoff sniper, Champagnie’s journey embodies San Antonio’s development pipeline. If his hot streak continues, the undrafted sharpshooter could leave MSG with both a championship ring and a permanent place in Spurs lore—while adding another chapter to Brooklyn’s rich basketball heritage.