Spurs Struggle, Wembanyama: “It Will Help Us Grow”
San Antonio’s run comes to a halt at the Garden: New York raises the level, Wembanyama admits the mistakes and looks ahead
At Madison Square Garden, the Spurs’ run came to a halt. After eleven straight wins, San Antonio ran into the physicality and discipline of the Knicks, falling 114-89 in a game that carried weight in the race for the No. 1 seed in the West alongside Oklahoma City. More than the final score, though, what stood out was the sense of a team suddenly out of rhythm.
Victor Wembanyama, who posted a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double, didn’t shy away from responsibility. Speaking to reporters, he was clear-headed, almost harsh on himself. He admitted he hesitated – especially from beyond the arc (1-for-7) – held onto the ball too long and committed seven turnovers, many of them costly.
We gave them life. They’re not an ugly team to watch, but they made our game ugly
Victor Wembanyama
That’s how the French star explained the loss, pointing to the closing stretch of the second quarter as the moment the game shifted.
The Spurs had started better, playing with energy and control. Then it only took a spark from the Knicks to flip the momentum. New York raised the physical intensity, made every possession difficult and turned the game into a gritty battle. No alarm bells, though – especially since, before finally fading midway through the fourth quarter, Wemby & Co. had managed to trim a 14-point deficit late in the third to six.
I don’t see any steps backward. It’s positive to face this kind of adversity. We want to play against the best teams, and they’re a top seed, a playoff-experienced team. Today they taught us a lesson
Victor Wembanyama
For a young and ambitious team, going up against an experienced contender built on tough defense can be a necessary lesson. San Antonio – the only team alongside OKC and Detroit to reach 40 wins before 20 losses – remains one of the most intriguing stories of the season. But at the Garden, it learned that to stay on top, talent and enthusiasm aren’t enough: it takes poise, game management and fewer hesitations when the level rises.