Victor Wembanyama has stated that the San Antonio Spurs have moved on from the largest single-game collapse in NBA finals history and are prepared to face the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Historic Collapse in Game 4
The Knicks erased a 29-point deficit to defeat the Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the series. New York can now secure their first championship since 1973 with a victory in San Antonio.
“There were a thousand ways we could have not lost that game,” Wembanyama told reporters on Friday. “It felt like there was a time to process this, to really dwell on it, but not any more. We’re over it. It’s the playoffs. There’s no time to regret things for too long.”
He also dismissed the incidents of eggs being thrown at him and a water bottle tossed at the team bus in New York. “I didn’t really think much of it,” he said. “Obviously it’s not good at all. But it doesn’t bother me.”
Spurs Coach Concerned About Minutes
The Frenchman played 44 minutes in Game 4, prompting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson to express concern about his 22-year-old star’s workload. “I have to make sure I help him have the energy required to finish the game as strong as he needs to finish the game,” Johnson said. “Looking back on the game, I could have done better in that regard.”
Wembanyama, however, insisted fatigue will not be an issue in the must-win contest. “It’s the playoffs. Everybody’s just as tired. It shouldn’t even be a factor in the game,” he said. “It’s not going to be a factor.”
Fox and Johnson Respond to Critics
De’Aaron Fox, who struggled late in Game 4 and faced criticism for not running down the clock when San Antonio had a late lead, emphasized the need for sustained concentration. “Every game we’ve had some sort of a lead and we’re down 3-1. We have to figure out how to sustain those leads. We have to figure out how to finish games,” Fox said. “These games have showed us we have a chance. It’s not like we’re going out there and getting steamrolled. We still have that belief we have a chance to win.”
Johnson defended Fox against media and online critics. “I don’t get into social media,” Johnson said. “I think I’ve been fired 212 times, and we’ve traded Fox 72 times. People have their opinions. I don’t care. I care what the people that matter in our building, our organization, in that locker room, that they know how I feel. De’Aaron Fox will have the basketball in his hands at the end of the game tomorrow, and I have the utmost confidence he’s going to deliver like he’s done countless times for us.”
