The first step for the Spurs in preparing for Game 5 is to shake off the memories from Wednesday night’s collapse, which led to one of the most shocking losses in NBA Finals history. After letting a 29-point lead slip away and falling in the final seconds due to missed free throws and poor decision making, the team has time to refocus before the series resumes Saturday night in San Antonio.
The Spurs’ locker room was subdued following Game 4 as players tried to process what just happened, according to Marc J. Spears of Andscape. While most of them sat quietly at their lockers when the media entered, Keldon Johnson tried to provide some hope regarding the challenge of overcoming a 3-1 deficit.
“It’s a tough one, a tough pill to swallow,” he said. “I feel like we got comfortable, and things happen. But I think the main thing is that belief is there. We believe. Our belief is as high as ever. You don’t get here without belief, without faith in each other, and that’s not going to change now. If it was easy, everybody would do it.”
Coach Mitch Johnson also attempted to remain positive as he held his post-game press conference just a few feet away from jubilant Knicks fans. Johnson told his players to deal with the emotions of the loss and then get ready to compete on Saturday.
“We have two days to put everything we have into that game. That’s the only game that matters,” he said. “By no means am I not acknowledging the Knicks and what they’ve done. Give them credit for playing good basketball. But we feel like we’ve decided the outcome of all four games. We need to be better in the next game.”
There’s more on the Spurs:
- Victor Wembanyama will receive an automatic one-game suspension if he’s assessed another flagrant foul, but he doesn’t plan to change his approach going into Game 5, Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News states in a subscriber-only story. The flagrant 1 Wembanyama received in the third quarter on Wednesday for elbowing Karl-Anthony Towns in the chin brought him to three flagrant points in the postseason, just one away from triggering the suspension. “Of course, I’m going to be more careful, but it’s not going to change much,” Wembanyama said.
- De’Aaron Fox made a huge miscalculation by attempting a layup after a steal with 11 seconds remaining, but he doesn’t deserve the blame he’s been getting for the loss, contends Melissa Rohlin of The California Post. Fox’s shot was blocked by OG Anunoby, giving possession back to the Knicks and setting the stage for Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in. While Fox could have dribbled out some time and given his team a three-point lead at the foul line, that wouldn’t have guaranteed a victory. Rohlin points out that the Spurs were outscored 32-16 in the fourth quarter, so everyone played a role in the collapse.
- Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot examines the Spurs’ Game 4 breakdown and tries to figure out why the offense stopped working in the second half.
Someone explain with 1.2 seconds left, the 3 second violation is not in play, so why not place Wemby directly at the rim and just lob it to him from the inbound for the dunk or guide-in?
They took too many threes down the stretch. They should have worked the ball inside, but that requires some commitment to grinding. They relaxed too soon.
Spurs lose they’ll be strong contenders form Giannis
Spurs send Fox Kormet and a kings ransom in draft picks to the Bucks for Giannis
This years #20 pick #35, #42, #44
2028 pick which they can swap with
Boston’s 2-30
2028 NOP 2nd rounder
2030 which is most favorable of Dal, Min, San which could be the key draft pick if Mavs are bad still here or Min has a bad year
2030 Sacs 2nd rounder
So Fox Kornet and 3 1st round picks maybe 4 if they can deal 2031 pick which is a pick swap with Sac, 5 second picks which could all fall in top 31-40 range
Spurs keep Harper Casfle Wemby core together to supplement with free agents and Giannis
Bucs hit hard reset on their roster
pack it up and call it a year, Wemby needs to discover protein shakes and the weight room. Get Fox outta there
Spurs fans already started a gofundme to buy out Fox’s contract
I never liked the Fox fit on the Spurs and he has proven here, in his prime, he isn’t a leader. Absolute travesty he has a clutch POY award.
All the Spurs need is a wing, like, literally replace Fox with Andrew Wiggins and they are unbeatable. I would try for a better wing than Wiggins though. Even old Lebron would make them unbeatable. Harper is clearly the second best player on the team, he shouldn’t be on the bench.
The real Fox f*** up was when he was insanely doubling Brunson at half court on the 3 while Wemby was also on him. Fox was supposed to tag OG after the inbound, and was completely asleep at the wheel. Watch the final possession it looks like Fox playing defense for the first time ever. Put back and game off the wide open inbounder.
Not sure Keldon Johnson should be the one trying to inspire the team haha he has been terrible. If he giving the speech they are checked out.