The San Antonio Spurs blew a 29-point lead in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, and the heartbreaking loss put the New York Knicks up 3-1. Victor Wembanyama’s team collapsed in the second half. They scored just 30 points in the final 24 minutes to let New York steal the pivotal game. There were several head-scratching and heartbreaking moments. The Spurs' backs are against the wall, and Wemby said this about how the team bounces back in Game 5.
“Holding each other accountable, communicating, not pointing fingers, and after that, we either got it or we don’t. We’ve proven we can surpass these difficulties. Even though we haven’t been there before, I am convinced we are built this way. We are going to use the better of this, and it is going to tighten us up.”
Wemby had a 24-point double-double with three blocks on Wednesday night, but he played a massive role in the collapse. Head coach Mitch Johnson only rested him for 58 seconds in the second half, and the big man wore out. He was three of 14 from the field in the final 24 minutes as the Spurs were outscored by 27 with him on the floor. Wemby also missed two clutch free throws that could have swung the game.
This was a nightmare loss to put the Knicks on the brink of their first championship since 1973. San Antonio blew this game. All the Spurs can do is use this as a lesson and try to bounce back. Wemby has a plan, and his teammates must follow the blueprint.
Victor Wembanyama said exactly how the Spurs bounce back in Game 5
Wemby is great with the media and didn’t pull any punches after the heartbreaking loss. The 7’4 big man admitted he was tired and had no answers for how the team collapsed. He was clear about what he was thinking about after the loss.
“It is going to go one of two ways. A bad one or a good one. The bad one would be giving up. The good one would be getting stronger through this and more together. This is what we are going to do.”
Fans can listen to Wemby's entire postgame press conference below.
The 22-year-old isn’t supposed to be here. Even the all-time greats don’t win a championship until they reach their prime. He is already arguably the face of the NBA. Wembanyama is way ahead of schedule, but the Spurs don’t want to squander this opportunity. There are no guarantees in the NBA. Making the finals is difficult. San Antonio could easily be up 3-1 in this series, but it is New York making the clutch plays to win.
The pressure is on, but Spurs fans have already seen Wemby’s impressive leadership. He rallied the Spurs from a 3-2 deficit against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, including winning Game 7 on the road. San Antonio has to do it again on the biggest stage. It starts with staying together and communicating.
Victor Wembanyama knows exactly what the San Antonio Spurs must do, and he believes his squad will do it. It was a heartbreaking loss because the team played so poorly in the second half. That would fold a weaker team, but Wemby won’t let that happen. Expect a bounce back in Game 5 in San Antonio.
It is a difficult road to come all the way back to win this series, but Victor Wembanyama is the man to lead the charge. This won’t be easy, but the Alien still has faith in his squad. At least, that is a start.
