Victor Wembanyama Shuts Down All Concerns After Spurs' Game 1 Loss to Knicks

The San Antonio Spurs came into the NBA Finals as many people's pick to win it all, and a lot of that expectation landed squarely on Victor Wembanyama. Game 1 didn't go according to plan.

The New York Knicks were the better team on Wednesday night, erasing a 14-point third-quarter deficit to win 105-95 and take the early series lead.

Jalen Brunson was the difference. He scored 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter alone, doing exactly what star players are supposed to do when games are on the line. Wembanyama finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds but shot just six of 21 from the field. His handle let him down at times and he finished with six turnovers, including one costly mistake late in the game.

None of it seems to be sitting heavy on him, though.

Wembanyama Not Worried Heading Into Game 2

Asked in the postgame press conference whether losing Game 1 was giving him anything to think about, Wembanyama kept it short.

"Nothing," he said. "We've been down in a series before, never in the finals, obviously. But I'm not kicking myself out of anything, really. I'm not worried the slightest."

For a 22-year-old in his first NBA Finals appearance, that kind of composure stands out. Wembanyama has moved through his development faster than almost anyone expected but he's also been clear-eyed about what this level demands. He's not treating a bad shooting night like a crisis.

"It's not like I have anything to figure out. It's almost like I have to be normal, not even good," he added. "I'm not worried. We're gonna be so much better, I'm gonna be so much better."

LIVE: Knicks/Spurs NBA Finals Game 1 Postgame Presser https://t.co/0XkGuF9X5J

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Getting the Spurs to the Finals in his first playoff run already says something about where Wembanyama's game is. But the Knicks are a different kind of test.

New York has spent the last four years building postseason experience and learning how to grind through long series. They've earned this moment too.

Game 2 is Friday night in San Antonio. Wembanyama will have his home crowd and a bad shooting performance to put behind him.

Related: NBA Finals Game 1: Knicks Defeat Spurs Behind Jalen Brunson's 30-Point Masterclass

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 9:49 PM.