Spurs Slammed After Another Collapse as Wembanyama Faces Fresh Criticism

After San Antonio blew another double-digit lead and lost to the New York Knicks, American media ridiculed the Spurs, especially Victor Wembanyama, after the Knicks won the championship. The New York Post called the team’s repeated late-game failures “a recipe for disaster,” noting that after Game 4’s 29-point collapse at Madison Square Garden, San Antonio again faded badly in the second half.

According to the report, the Knicks outscored the Spurs by 11 points in the fourth quarter as San Antonio unraveled. Wembanyama disappeared late, shooting 1-for-5 in the final period. In the last two minutes, he missed one of two free throws and then missed two 3-point attempts, all but sealing the Knicks’ victory. The Post compared it to Game 4, when he scored only two points and had no rebounds over the final 9:30.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson summed up the loss bluntly: “We were not ready to win an NBA championship. The better team won.” San Antonio reached the final with one of the youngest teams ever to make it that far, and some analysts see it as a future contender, but Doc Rivers warned that nothing is guaranteed. He said, “The future of San Antonio looks bright, but you can’t take anything for granted,” citing trades, free agency, injuries and the fragility of successful teams.

Wembanyama also drew criticism for his demeanor during the series, and his former teammate Jeremy Sochan, now with the Knicks, confronted him midgame and visibly frustrated him. Former player and analyst Iman Shumpert said the playoffs should teach Wembanyama to accept pressure and become the player who “scores in chaos,” urging him to study Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. Shumpert also said his conditioning must improve, because as games wear on, San Antonio’s game plan breaks down and mistakes follow.