Wemby Reveals What Spurs Need to Do 'Better' in G2 After Loss to Knicks in NBA Finals G1

The San Antonio Spurs blew their home-court advantage in the NBA Finals by dropping Wednesday's Game 1 against the New York Knicks, but star center Victor Wembanyama is confident that the team can get back on track.

While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Wembanyama declared that the Spurs are fine from a technical standpoint, but they "need to approach the game with a better mental state." He added that he and his teammates "need to play our game" and "need to be normal."

Wembanyama had 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in San Antonio's 105-95 loss, but he shot just 6-of-21 from the field and committed six turnovers. The Spurs blew a 14-point second-half lead in front of their home fans at the Frost Bank Center.

Knicks-Spurs Highlights

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When asked what "normal" looks like for the Spurs, Wembanyama explained that he and his teammates should never deviate from what got them to the NBA Finals in the first place.

"Normal means trusting each other, trusting the basketball gods, trusting the game plan, executing and not relying on talent so much to make shots or to save the day," he told reporters. "We've been playing a certain way all season, and we've been successful this way. There's no reason to change the day the Finals start."

Despite the loss, Wembanyama made it clear that he expects his team to respond the right way and bounce back quickly.

"It's very reassuring. We know we're not here by chance," he said. "We've been through some weird situations, whatever. And yes, it's reassuring to know that the 18 guys we got are built this way and are resilient."

Wembanyama will try to live up to his declarations when the Spurs take the floor for Friday's Game 2 against the Knicks.