A Painful Finals Loss Lingers
San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama admitted to restless nights this offseason as he replayed the Spurs' NBA Finals defeat to the New York Knicks. For an athlete who follows a strict routine of diet, exercise and a 9 p.m. bedtime, the disrupted sleep revealed how deeply the loss affected him. Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 center, responded by working intensely, including another unconventional training trip aimed at improving his body, mind and spirit. He said the recovery process is ongoing and that he cannot yet say whether it helped, because the story is not finished.[S1]
The Spurs lost the series in five games despite Wembanyama averaging 26 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.6 blocks against New York. San Antonio surrendered double-digit leads in every defeat, most painfully in Game 4, when the Knicks erased a 29-point deficit to win 107-106, the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. The collapse reminded Spurs fans of the 2013 Finals, when San Antonio lost a five-point lead in the final 28 seconds of Game 6 against Miami and then dropped Game 7. Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich used that 2013 heartbreak to drive the Spurs to the 2014 championship.[S1]
Offseason Work and Team Bonding
Wembanyama's offseason included inviting teammates to Paris in August for a series of workouts. He described the Paris gathering as touching and emotional, placing his hand over his heart when discussing it. Spurs point guard Dylan Harper said the best part was having everyone together, sharing meals and building comfort that allows vulnerability and accountability. Shortly after those workouts, Wembanyama trained with French rugby club Provence Rugby in Aix-en-Provence to improve his footing, lower-body strength and ability to absorb contact. He called the rugby training very hard but beneficial for his vestibular system and movement patterns.[S1]
Since being drafted No. 1 in 2023, Wembanyama has made clear that his and San Antonio's goal is to be the best. Few expected a youthful roster led by the 22-year-old to reach the Finals last season, but that did not soften the pain of the loss. Spurs forward Julian Champagnie said the team reached the place it wanted but still needs to win, and that the experience can help push past obstacles this year. Wembanyama called the defeat the best possible motivation. Only time will tell if history repeats, but San Antonio is again using a Finals loss as fuel.[S1]
