2 hours ago
12
Victor Wembanyama says the San Antonio Spurs have shaken off the biggest single-game collapse in NBA finals history and are ready to face the New York Knicks on Saturday.
The Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit to hand the Spurs a crushing 107-106 victory in Game 4 of the series and can win their first title since 1973 with victory in San Antonio.
“There were a thousand ways we could have not lost that game,” Wembanyama told reporters at practice on Friday. “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.”
That, he added, also goes for having had eggs thrown at him and a water bottle 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.”
The Frenchman said players are “at this point where we can really empty the tank”. Wembanyama played 44 minutes on Wednesday and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson was concerned he left his 22-year-old star in for too long.
“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.”
Wembanyama himself says fatigue will not be an issue in a must-win contest for the Spurs.
“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.”
De’Aaron Fox, who struggled late in Game 4 and was blamed by some by not running down the clock when San Antonio had a late lead, said the Spurs have to concentrate for the entire game.
“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 from his critics in the media and on the internet.
“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.”
