How the Spurs reached the Finals ahead of schedule...
Key takeaways
- Wembanyama declined to divulge details of the exchange, but he provided the gist.
- "It was that I've been bad, and I'm better than this," Wembanyama said.
- The game marked the third time this postseason that Wembanyama shot worse than 30% (the Spurs are 0-3 when that happens), while sinking only one of his 13 attempts outside two feet in the final three quarters of Game 1.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
A SWELTERING MUGGINESS masked the air-conditioned chill Thursday afternoon inside Frost Bank Center, where the San Antonio Spurs were reeling from an opportunity lost less than 24 hours prior: letting a late fourth-quarter lead slip away in Game 1 of the franchise's first NBA Finals appearance since 2014.
For Spurs franchise superstar Victor Wembanyama, the aftermath of the New York Knicks' 105-95 victory -- the 22-year-old finished with playoff career highs in turnovers (six) and missed shots (15) -- featured a text message from Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich. Wembanyama declined to divulge details of the exchange, but he provided the gist.
"It was that I've been bad, and I'm better than this," Wembanyama said.