History might not be on the side of the San Antonio Spurs after the team lost its first two games of the NBA Finals. However, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama does not sound all that concerned about the 2-0 deficit as the series heads to New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
As the Spurs prepare for Game 3 of the NBA Finals after losing the first two games at home, the young superstar sounded undaunted by the two-game deficit in the series, even though only a handful of teams have ever overcome such a situation.
Spurs Lost Heartbreaking Game 2
The Spurs fell in Game 2 in heartbreaking fashion. After overcoming a double-digit deficit with a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter, the Spurs had possession of the ball in a tie game with just seconds to go. However, the Spurs immediately turned the ball over and fouled Jalen Brunson, allowing him to hit a go-ahead free throw.
Even after the go-ahead free throw from Brunson, the Spurs still had a chance for the final shot, but Wembanyama missed what would have been a game-winning midrange jumper.
“We need to capitalize, actually use all the efforts we [had],” Wembanyama said this week. “It felt like we did a lot of things wrong, but we were also relentless and kept pushing, but kind of wasted that effort. I know it’s not wasted because our lessons are learned. I know we’re not going to make the mistakes of the past again. But in a moment like this, we need to make these things matter.”
‘This is what I’m Built For’
The Spurs now face what feels like a daunting situation. Only five teams in NBA history have ever overcome a 2-0 deficit in the NBA Finals, and none of those teams ever lost the first two games of the series at home as the Spurs just did.
Still, Wembanyama is not bothered by the deficit. During an interview this week, Wembanyama expressed confidence despite the situation.
“I think the key is acceptance a lot of times, taking a step back, realizing all the journey that’s behind this and what’s ahead of this,” Wembanyama said when asked how he deals with the pressure of facing two road games down 2-0. “Just being OK with who I am, where I am, what I’m doing. This is everything that I wished for. There’s really no reason to overthink it. This is what I’m built for.”
We’ll have to see whether or not the team can bounce back.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.