The San Antonio Spurs dropped Game 1 of the NBA Finals, 105-95, to the New York Knicks in a back-and-forth affair. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama also didn’t have the kind of start to the series he would have liked.
Wembanyama finished with a team-high 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, but the Frenchman shot just 6-of-21 from the field, including 2-of-9 from beyond the arc. He also committed six turnovers.
It was a frustrating night for Wembanyama and San Antonio, which had an opportunity to grab a 1-0 series lead and seize control early. Instead, the Knicks stole home-court advantage.
Addressing Wembanyama’s offensive struggles, four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal made some pointed remarks about how Spurs coach Mitch Johnson should utilize the 7-foot-4 superstar.
“Coach has to get Victor the ball more inside,” O’Neal said on Inside the NBA after the game.
Shaq also had a message for Wembanyama himself.
“For Victor, you gotta play better. The way he played, not good enough. 6/21 is not going to get it done. 10 3s is not going to get it done. You have to make some mental adjustments and say, ‘We cannot lose Game 2.’”
Wembanyama and the Spurs will look to regroup before facing the Knicks again in Game 2 on Friday.
Victor Wembanyama Takes Accountability After Game 1 Loss to Knicks
Victor Wembanyama didn’t mince words following a disappointing Game 1 loss to the New York Knicks, taking full accountability for a performance that fell short of expectations.
Wembanyama was blunt in his self-assessment, admitting that he simply wasn’t good enough.
“I’m gonna figure it out. I was bad tonight. It’s not more complicated than that.”
Not only did Wembanyama struggle offensively, but the rest of the San Antonio roster also failed to generate high-quality scoring chances and ultimately didn’t play to its identity.
It isn’t unfamiliar territory for Wembanyama and the Spurs, who now find themselves in a 1-0 hole for the second time this postseason. But this time, there’s no convenient excuse to fall back on.
Despite the setback, Wembanyama remains unfazed.
“We’ve been down in a series before, never in the Finals, obviously, but I’m not kicking myself about anything really. I mean, I’m not worried the slightest.”
That said, it was only the first game of a best-of-seven showdown, and the Spurs are looking forward to quickly putting the loss behind them and getting back on track.
Read More:
NBA Fans React to Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and Scott Foster’s Interaction After Game 1 Win
Victor Wembanyama Injury Concerns Loom After Josh Hart Collision Has Him Limp Off in Game 1
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