Wemby's Career Resume After 6th 'Final' Loss as Spurs Lose NBA Title to Knicks
Unfortunately for San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, this year's NBA Finals loss is not the first time he has fallen just short of a coveted title.
As Basket News detailed, it was his sixth loss in a final with something of note hanging in the balance.
| Competition | Result |
| 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship | Spain beats France |
| 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup | USA beats France |
| 2023 French League Finals | Monaco beats Metropolitans 92 |
| 2024 Olympics | USA beats France |
| 2025 NBA Cup | Knicks beat Spurs |
| 2026 NBA Finals | Knicks beat Spurs |
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It should be noted Wembanyama is just 22 years old. That he led the Spurs to the NBA Finals this quickly suggests the team is ahead of schedule, even if they fell short to the New York Knicks in just five games.
He also had the daunting task of leading France in the 2024 Paris Olympics against a loaded Team USA side that included Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and plenty of NBA star power.
Wembanyama did what he could in that gold medal game with 26 points, but the Americans ultimately had too many playmakers on the floor. Curry in particular was unstoppable with eight three-pointers.
That game likely left Wembanyama thinking about what could have been just like the 2026 NBA Finals.
While the Knicks won in five games, the Spurs held a double-digit lead in every one of the contests. The Western Conference champions simply couldn't finish when the games were hanging in the balance in the final minutes.
Wembanyama's late turnover proved critical in Game 2, while New York overcame a 29-point deficit to win Game 4 with an OG Anunoby tip-in. The Knicks once again controlled the fourth quarter in Saturday's clincher and outscored the Spurs by 11 in the final 12 minutes.
For his part, the big man said he is using the entire year as a learning process:
Given his immense talent and age, it would be shocking if Wembanyama doesn't eventually win an NBA championship.
When he does, it will likely mean even more after so many near-misses in the early portion of his career.
