Game 2 of the NBA Finals took place on Friday and it did not go how Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs wanted it to go.
The New York Knicks erased a 12-point first half deficit and held on down the stretch for the win, taking a commanding 2-0 Finals lead.
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With less than 20 seconds to play in a tie game, Wembanyama secured a defensive rebound and looked to push the pace. In the most crucial moment of the game, he fired a pass to an unsuspecting Stephon Castle.
The ball bounced of Castle’s back and Brunson swooped in for the steal. To make matters worse, Wembanyama was called for a foul while trying to recover the lost ball, sending Brunson to the line for the game-winning free throw.
“I threw that one away. I messed up. It’s like the body reacts quicker than the mind. We needed to win that game. This game was ours. But at this point it’s done,” Wembanyama said after the game. “Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and fuel us to the next game? Absolutely.”
Wembanyama put up 10 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter on Friday, but the Spurs struggled to win the rebound game against New York down the stretch.
The Spurs now have their backs against the wall and Wembanyama said he needs to control the game more if they want to win the series.
“That’s the whole problem. I need to have more poise, more control of the game,” he said. “I’m not going to go through the whole [three] possessions, but that’s the general image. We need to put ourselves in better conditions. We’re digging ourselves a hole. That’s been the theme so far.”
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
