Victor Wembanyama has declared that the San Antonio Spurs have put the biggest single-game collapse in NBA finals history behind them and are fully focused on Saturday's must-win Game 5 against the New York Knicks.
Spurs Trail 3-1 After Crushing Loss
The Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit to defeat the Spurs 107-106 in Game 4, taking a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. New York now stands on the brink of their first NBA title since 1973.
Wembanyama, speaking at practice on Friday, acknowledged the pain of the loss but insisted the team has moved on. "There were a thousand ways we could have not lost that game," he said. "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."
The 22-year-old Frenchman also downplayed incidents where eggs were thrown at him and a water bottle was 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."
Wembanyama's Minutes and Fatigue
Wembanyama played 44 minutes in Game 4, prompting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson to express concern about his 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."
However, Wembanyama dismissed fatigue as an issue. "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 Defended by Coach
De'Aaron Fox, who struggled late in Game 4 and was criticized for not running down the clock when the Spurs had a late lead, stressed the need for 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 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."
