Mitch Johnson and the San Antonio Spurs entered Game 2 counting on Victor Wembanyama to help deliver a much-needed win, but fell agonizingly short at the Frost Bank Center.
Before the NBA Finals, Wembanyama had downplayed the Spurs’ lack of experience, but that inexperience was evident at several key moments during their heartbreaking 105-104 defeat to the New York Knicks on Friday.
Mitch Johnson Explains Victor Wembanyama’s Quiet First Half
Wembanyama struggled through a slow start in Game 2, recording 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 turnovers in the first half. The second half saw the Frenchman come to life as the Spurs surged with a 14-0 run late in the fourth quarter, only to lose by a point.
Much of the postgame discussion centered on Wembanyama’s costly turnover as well as the lack of offensive involvement in earlier periods of the game.
After the game, Johnson addressed the challenges Wembanyama faced in getting involved offensively.
“We’ve had that discussion before, and I understand the discourse around it,” Johnson said. “I think it’s a little bit of all but (we) have to make sure that there’s environments that the ball finds him. I think he’s got to make sure that he can’t rely on that to get shots as well.”
“There were times I think when he was open on rolls around the paint and his teammates got to give him the ball, so I think it’s a combination of all that, but you have four shots and a half on this stage is not acceptable.”
Mitch Johnson on why it was so difficult for Wembanyama to get involved offensively in the first half:
“I have to make sure that there’s environments that the ball finds him. I think he’s got to make sure that he can’t rely on that to get shots as well..
But yeah 4 shots in the… pic.twitter.com/W19jgUY14L
— Wemby Alien Era (@WembyAlienEra) June 6, 2026
With the score tied at 104-104 and less than 15 seconds left, Wembanyama grabbed a rebound and attempted an outlet pass to Stephon Castle, who wasn’t looking at the ball.
Jalen Brunson recovered possession, drew a foul, and knocked down one of two free throws, giving New York a 105-104 lead.
Wembanyama still had an opportunity to win the game moments later when he got a clean look from 20 feet, but his jumper with 2 seconds left bounced off the back rim.
He ultimately finished with 29 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 2 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 11-for-21 from the field.
Wembanyama later described the turnover as “the most frustrating thing.”
Castle also reflected on the play after the defeat and said, “I was looking at him when he first got the rebound, and I just started to take off, trying to give him some space to dribble up the court. I didn’t see him throw it to me.”
The mistake prompted San Antonio Express-News writer Tom Orsborn to draw comparisons to Rod Strickland’s infamous turnover during San Antonio’s Game 7 loss to Portland in the 1990 Western Conference Semifinals.
The Spurs now find themselves in a difficult situation after dropping both home games, as New York has seized control of the series and has all the momentum.
The loss also extended a surprising drought for the franchise, as the Spurs have not won an NBA Finals game against a team not led by LeBron James since Game 7 of the 2005 Finals against the Detroit Pistons, despite making four Finals appearances during that span.
History continues to be against the Spurs heading into Game 3, as no team has ever recovered to win the NBA Finals after losing the first two games at home.
