Victor Wembanyama believes the San Antonio Spurs’ response to their NBA Finals Game 1 loss against the New York Knicks has less to do with tactical adjustments and more to do with returning to the identity that carried them through the postseason.
Speaking Thursday ahead of Game 2 at Frost Bank Center, the Spurs star repeatedly emphasized a simple message after San Antonio squandered a 14-point second-half lead in a 105-95 defeat.
“Really, I think the reason we lost that game isn’t even technical. It’s not even tactical,” Wembanyama said. “We need to approach the game with a better mental state and we just need to play our game, you know, we just need to be normal. We don’t need to do anything incredible.”
The 22-year-old center finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds in his NBA Finals debut, but he shot 6-for-21 from the field as New York rallied behind Jalen Brunson’s 30 points.
When asked to explain what “normal” means for the Spurs, Wembanyama expanded on the idea.
“Normal means trusting each other, trusting the basketball guys, trusting the game plan, executing, and not relying on talent so much to make shots or to save the day, you know?” Wembanyama said. “I mean, we’ve been playing a certain way all season and we’ve been successful this way and there’s no reason to change the day the Finals start.”
The comments reflect a theme that has followed San Antonio throughout the playoffs. The Spurs overcame a 2-1 deficit against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals and later rallied from a 3-2 series deficit against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference finals.
Wembanyama pointed to those experiences when discussing the challenge of trailing 1-0 in the championship series.
“Yes, it’s very reassuring,” he said. “We know we’re not here by chance. We’ve been through some weird situations whatever and yes it’s reassuring to know that these guys the 18 guys we got are built this way and are resilient.”
One of the key Game 1 storylines was New York’s defensive approach. Karl-Anthony Towns spent significant time matched up against Wembanyama, helping limit the Spurs star’s efficiency despite his strong counting numbers.
The Spurs have also leaned on advice from franchise figures throughout their playoff run. Wembanyama revealed that former coach Gregg Popovich reached out following Game 1.
“I haven’t talked to him yet, but yes, he’s texted me,” Wembanyama said.
Asked what Popovich’s message was, the All-Star responded with a smile.
“In the big lines it was that I’ve been bad and I’m better than this.”
Despite the pressure that comes with the Finals, Wembanyama said he remains unaffected by the added attention surrounding the series.
“No, it’s not,” he said when asked whether the extra media obligations and noise have disrupted his routine. “The only thing that’s impacting my routine the most right now is that we’re practicing at the arena and not at the facility, so the driving time is a little bit longer.”
San Antonio enters Game 2 needing a win to avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole before the Finals shift to New York.
