By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The San Antonio Spurs dropped a tough decision at home to open the championship series of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, falling into a 1–0 deficit against the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Despite the early setback in front of a star-studded crowd at Frost Bank Center, French superstar Victor Wembanyama remained composed and optimistic about his side’s ability to bounce back as the best-of-seven series progresses.
Wemby delivered a 26-point, 12-rebound double-double in his Finals debut, but he faced heavy resistance from a physical New York defense that limited his impact in the paint and forced difficult looks. Reflecting on his performance, the Le Chesnay native offered a candid self-assessment of his struggles inside.
“Every team guards differently. I’m going to figure it out,” he said during his postgame press conference. “I was bad tonight. It’s not more complicated than that.”
The gravity of making a Finals debut can weigh heavily on any player, but the 22-year-old center dismissed the idea that nerves or the bright lights contributed to his shooting difficulties, underlining that ‘it definitely felt special’, but adding that there was ‘nothing close that can be an excuse. It was not a factor’.
Former head coach Gregg Popovich was in attendance to witness the historic moment, alongside legendary franchise pillars David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Bruce Bowen.
Game 1 shifted dramatically in the closing minutes, though the action on the floor faced an unexpected delay. Late in the fourth quarter, a fan disrupted the game by sprinting onto the court to take a selfie with Wembanyama. Security quickly intervened to remove the spectator, leaving the young star surprised by the unusual encounter. “I’ve never been in that situation. I didn’t know how to act,” he mentioned when addressing the incident.
Following the brief disruption, the Knicks took total control of the game. The Spurs managed to claw their way to a late one-point lead, but they ultimately surrendered the final 11 points. Knicks star Jalen Brunson fueled the decisive run, finishing with a game-high 30 points to secure the victory for the visitors. Addressing the impact of Brunson’s masterful performance, Wembanyama credited the 29-year-old point guard’s execution while keeping the bigger picture in focus.
“He’s an elite player,” he said. “We are going to have many more chances. It’s a first-to-four series, so we’re going to have time to work on it.”
The Alien acknowledged the missed opportunity but emphasized that the team has plenty of basketball left to play.
“I think we let that one go,” he noted. “We’ve been down in a series before. Never not in the Finals, obviously. But I’m not kicking myself about anything, really. I’m not worried the slightest.”
Head coach Mitch Johnson expressed total confidence in his young star’s ability to adjust before the next game, stressing that Wemby’s maturity and self-awareness will drive his preparation for the upcoming rematch.
“He definitely holds himself accountable, and I would suspect that he will learn a lot of things from tonight’s game and come out with a good approach in Game 2,” he mentioned.
With the Finals staying in San Antonio, Game 2 follows on Friday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94, 94-125)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 (115-104, 109-93, 121-108, 130-93)
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 3-4 (115-122, 122-113, 123-108, 82-103, 127-114, 91-118, 103-111)
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
San Antonio Spurs – New York Knicks 0-1 (95-105)
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