Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs suffered a heartbreaking 105-104 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 2, as New York escaped with a one-point victory.
The loss ultimately leaves Wembanyama facing a 0-2 hole in his first NBA Finals appearance.
Victor Wembanyama Shares Emotional Message After Spurs’ Game 2 Loss
Wembanyama entered Game 2 of the NBA Finals determined to bounce back from Game 1, in which he shot just 6-for-21 from the field and committed 6 turnovers.
Though the Frenchman delivered a much stronger performance in the second half of Game 2, it still wasn’t enough to prevent a heartbreaking defeat.
Wembanyama shared his raw emotions after Game 2’s loss, taking responsibility for late mistakes, including the turnover that swung the game in New York’s favor.
“I threw that one away,” Wembanyama said in his postgame news conference.
“I messed up. We didn’t play great as a team. We needed to win that game. This game was ours, but at this point it’s done. Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel us (in the) next game? Absolutely.”
“I threw that one away. I messed up.”
Victor Wembanyama following the Spurs Game 2 loss to the Knicks. pic.twitter.com/49XJpTKdSJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 6, 2026
Wembanyama finished with 29 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 11-for-21 from the field in 40 minutes of action.
However, his strong performance was overshadowed by a costly late turnover and a missed game-winning shot in the closing seconds.
The sequence came after Jalen Brunson tied the game with 39 seconds remaining.
Following a missed Knicks shot on the next possession, Wembanyama secured the rebound and was ready to initiate the Spurs’ offense with an outlet pass to Stephon Castle.
However, the pass struck Castle in the back, allowing Brunson to steal the ball.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA TURNOVER AND THEN THE FOUL. 😅 pic.twitter.com/NkbqchaAkn
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 6, 2026
Wembanyama then fouled the Knicks guard, sending him to the free-throw line.
Brunson converted one of two attempts, giving New York the lead before Wembanyama missed a potential game-winner on the final possession.
“That’s the most frustrating thing, to throw it away after putting in all this work,” Wembanyama said about his pass that hit Castle’s back. “It’s like the body reacts quicker than the mind.”
According to ESPN Research, the Spurs shot just 4-for-21 in the second quarter, marking their worst field-goal percentage in any quarter this season, including both the regular season and playoffs.
The loss also placed the Spurs in an unfavorable historical position, as they became only the third home team in NBA Finals history to fall behind 2-0, and the previous two teams to do so ultimately lost the championship.
