Spurs face elimination in Game 5 as Wembanyama insists on comeback capability
Despite blowing a 29-point lead in Game 4, Victor Wembanyama and head coach Mitch Johnson maintain the team is accountable and confident in overturning the series deficit.
The San Antonio Spurs enter Saturday’s Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals facing elimination, trailing the New York Knicks 3-1 after a defeat in Game 4 that saw them surrender a 29-point lead. The series now rests on a single victory for San Antonio, who aim to become only the second team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit, joining the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama expressed unequivocal confidence in the locker room’s ability to finish the series. Speaking at Friday’s practice, Wembanyama stated that the team is fully aware of the historical odds but remains certain of their capacity to defeat the Knicks. He emphasised that the group is focused on a one-game-at-a-time approach, dismissing the notion of looking ahead to a potential Game 6 at Madison Square Garden.
Head coach Mitch Johnson highlighted the team’s internal accountability, noting that there is no avoiding the reality that all four games in the series were winnable. Johnson stressed that the players are holding themselves to a high standard, recognising that defensive lapses during periods of significant leads have been a recurring issue. The coaching staff and players have identified the need to maintain aggressive defensive pressure even when holding double-digit advantages.
Spurs guard Stephon Castle pointed out that San Antonio has established a double-digit lead in every game of the Finals, including the 29-point margin in Game 4. Castle noted that the team tends to slow their defensive intensity when ahead, a tendency that must be corrected to secure a comeback. Fellow guard De’Aaron Fox added that the series has demonstrated the team’s ability to control the run of play, asserting that they are not being overwhelmed by the opposition.
The Spurs’ belief is rooted in a season that saw them win 62 games and overcome two series deficits to defeat the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals. This marks the franchise’s first return to the NBA Finals since 2014. With the next game scheduled for Saturday, the team must empty their reserves to avoid elimination, with guard Devin Vassell stating that while nothing is guaranteed, the immediate goal is to secure a single victory.
