Victor Wembanyama vows Spurs will “get stronger” after historic 29-point collapse
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama showcased resolve following his team’s historic collapse in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, vowing that the roster will “get stronger” despite trailing the New York Knicks 3-1.
The Knicks secured a 107-106 victory at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, after overcoming a 29-point deficit — the largest comeback in the history of the NBA Finals.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Victor Wembanyama rejected the idea of surrender, though he refrained from issuing a literal victory guarantee. “I think it’s going to go one of two ways,” the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year told reporters.
“The bad one would be giving up, the good one would be getting stronger through this and more together, and this is what we’re going to do. It was painful, of course. We worked too hard and gave up our lead. It’s as simple as that. It just hurts.”
The loss was particularly stinging given the Spurs’ early dominance. San Antonio led 76-49 at halftime and extended that cushion to 81-52 in the third quarter before the offense stagnated. New York’s defense stifled the Spurs in the second half, limiting them to just 14 points on 4-for-20 shooting during the pivotal third period.
The Knicks outscored San Antonio 58-30 across the final two quarters to seize control of the series.
Navigating the historic 3-1 NBA Finals deficit
The Spurs must now combat daunting historical precedents. Of the 38 teams that have trailed 3-1 in the NBA Finals, 37 eventually lost the series. The only franchise to successfully navigate such a deficit was the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers. This uphill battle requires a level of supply chain resiliency within the team’s mental approach as they return home for an elimination game.
Despite the “Joe Namath” comparisons circulating in sports media due to his outward confidence, Wembanyama’s focus remained on the immediate emotional recovery of the locker room. His 24 points and 13 rebounds in Game 4 were overshadowed by a tough shooting night, as he went 9-for-25 from the field.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson noted the team’s struggle to maintain poise during the Knicks’ late run, stating, “We got on our heels — we missed some shots. It’s disappointing, to say the least.”
The Knicks were propelled by a 36-point performance from Jalen Brunson and a 33-point contribution from OG Anunoby. It was Anunoby who delivered the final blow, a game-winning tip-in with just 1.2 seconds remaining on the clock. Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns described the winning basket as the “right hand from God,” emphasizing the dramatic nature of New York’s turnaround at the Garden.
Logistics and preparation for Game 5 in San Antonio
The series shifts back to Texas for Game 5, where the Spurs will attempt to keep their championship hopes alive in front of a home crowd. San Antonio entered the postseason as the second seed in the Western Conference with a 62-20 record, and they previously flexed their muscles by winning the Western Conference Championship in a seven-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Frost Bank Center. Tip-off is set for 8:30 PM ET, with the national broadcast airing on ABC. For the Spurs, the primary objective is rediscovering the defensive identity that made Wembanyama a unanimous choice for his individual honors this season.
Fans following major global sports events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup will recognize the high-pressure environment San Antonio now faces.
While the Knicks are one win away from their first title in over 50 years, Jalen Brunson insisted the team is not looking past the next 48 hours. “Our mentality has to be 0-0, the way it’s been,” Brunson said. “There’s nothing to celebrate. It’s not over yet, not even close.”
The Knicks’ 13-game winning streak may have ended in Game 3, but their resilience in Game 4 suggests they remain the favorites to close out the series.
Spurs’ tactical adjustments under Mitch Johnson
Coach Mitch Johnson, who replaced Gregg Popovich on May 2, 2025, now faces the most significant challenge of his young tenure. The Spurs’ inability to hold a 29-point lead highlighted potential vulnerabilities in their late-game execution. However, the team has shown an ability to bounce back from adversity throughout the 2025-26 campaign, finishing the regular season at the top of the Southwest Division.
Wembanyama’s belief in the team’s ability to “get stronger” through pain will be tested immediately. His Game 3 performance — 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists — proves he can dominate this series, but consistency will be vital to forcing a Game 6. The Knicks have proven they are a “resilient group,” according to Anunoby, having staged multiple double-digit comebacks throughout the year.
As the basketball world watches San Antonio, the focus remains on whether the “good way” Wembanyama described can result in a historic turnaround. If San Antonio manages to win on Saturday, the pressure shifts back to New York for a potential Game 6.
For now, the Spurs are simply trying to ensure that their season, which saw them reach the Finals for the first time in the post-Popovich era, does not end on their home floor.