Amidst Spurs playoff aspirations and personal tragedy, Victor Wembanyama grapples with a devastating loss.
San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama lost more than a game on Tuesday after his team was defeated by the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup Final.
Wemby also learned Tuesday morning that his grandmother had passed away in France.
As he battled back tears following the 124-113 final, Wemby said his young team received positive “experience” that will pay off when it's time to make their playoff run.
“I guess it is the best practice for important games because of course our focus is already on the playoffs and that’s the biggest time,” Wembanyama said. “The playoffs are going to be the biggest time of the year. So, I guess it’s good that we got this experience, too.”
The young French sensation offered just a couple of remarks in his brief but emotional postgame visit.
“I’m sorry, I lost somebody today,” said Wembanyama.
This was just Wemby's second game back from a calf strain that sidelined him for nearly a month, and he again Wemby came off the bench to contribute 18 points, six rebounds, two blocks and a steal. But the Knicks outscored the Spurs 35-19 in the final quarter to rally to the win.
Even with the loss, the Spurs are off to a fine 18-7 start as they are putting behind them the fact that it's been six years since they've been in the playoffs.
“I feel like when you have the expectation to win, obviously it means more when you don’t,” coach Johnson said. “I would say the uncomfortable part is just when you had expectations to win and then you don’t, just how you respond to that is different, because in past years we didn’t have the expectation to.''
Now there are indeed expectations ... and on this night, emotions as well.