Wembanyama Reflects on Finals Heartbreak and His Unusual Approach

On November 1, Victor Wembanyama described San Antonio’s Finals defeat by the New York Knicks as the most painful experience of his basketball career. He singled out Game 4 in New York, where the Spurs surrendered a 29-point lead and lost 107-106 on June 10.

The Spurs had been favored to win the championship but fell in five games. The Knicks clinched the title with a 94-90 victory in San Antonio in Game 5, their first championship in 53 years. Wembanyama also named two Western Conference finals games in Oklahoma City among his most difficult moments.

The 7-foot-4 center said the Finals’ portrayal of him as a villain, after he shoved Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in Game 3, did not distract him. He said the series exposed his limits, and that winning required playing basketball rather than fighting opponents.

Now entering his fourth NBA season, Wembanyama says he is comfortable working without a blueprint for a player with his combination of size and skill. He credits former Spurs coach Gregg Popovich with teaching humility, and has focused on conditioning and foot strength since a blood clot in his shoulder ended his second season.

Wembanyama also spoke about interests beyond basketball, including chess, meditation and kung fu, which he studied with Shaolin monks in China in 2025. Over six games this season, his per-game numbers stand at 28 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3 assists, 4.2 blocks and 1.3 steals. He said he should win this season’s NBA MVP award.