How do you recover after one of the worst losses in NBA history? The San Antonio Spurs are going to have to figure out the answer to that question quickly in Game Five of the NBA Finals, or their season will be over.
After blowing a 29-point lead in Game Four, the Spurs are back in San Antonio down 3-1. The Spurs are 4-0 in elimination/series-clinching games this postseason, but are 0-2 on their home court in the Finals. With rumors of New York Knicks’ fans flooding the Frost Bank Center, the Spurs may not be facing such a friendly home crowd. It’s just another hurdle for this young team that has struggled to rise to the moment in this series.
Game Five will be a real test of who the Spurs are. Will they fold after the embarrassment of Game Four? Will Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox come out swinging, looking to make up for crucial mistakes in the game prior? So far this postseason, when San Antonio found itself with its back against the wall, the team has typically responded.
On the flip side, the Knicks are hungrier than ever. A championship is within their grasp, and they have to feel like anything is possible after their miraculous comeback at Madison Square Garden. Despite the 3-1 lead, these Finals have been extremely close. The Spurs need to bring the same level of desperation to survive as the Knicks have to crown themselves the champions. If they don’t, they’ll likely see an opposing team lift the Larry O’Brien trophy on their home court for the first time in franchise history.
June 13th, 2026 | 7:30 PM CT
Watch: ABC / ESPN | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Injuries: Luke Kornet – Questionable (illness)
Knicks Injuries: No injuries to report.
What to watch for:
Wembanyama’s response
These Finals will forever be etched into Wembanyama’s legacy. He’s had moments of brilliance followed by devastating mistakes. The pass off of Stephon Castle’s back in Game Two and the crucial missed free throws in Game Four may haunt him for a while. He will catch a lot of flak for his “arrogant” demeanor on and off the floor, especially if San Antonio loses dramatically in Game Five. Wembanyama has to lead the way for the Spurs at home. It starts by setting the tone at the basket. He’s thrived when San Antonio has gotten him the ball around the rim. He has to live in the paint against New York for the rest of the offense to shine.
These are the moments where the true greats step up. If Wembanyama wants to be considered one of them, he has to play great and lead the team to victory.
Attacking the basket
The Spurs got away from what made them great in the second half of Game Four. They started playing around the perimeter and didn’t attack the basket with the same force they did in the first half. It gave the Knicks an opening, and they seized it. San Antonio’s aggression getting downhill could very well decide this series. When they play fast and put pressure on the rim, New York has a hard time stopping them. It’s the settling on offense that has gotten them in trouble.
Backup center
Luke Kornet is questionable in Game Five due to illness. If he can’t suit up, the Spurs are in a tough position at backup center. Wembanyama has already looked exhausted playing over 40 minutes a night. Without Kornet, he will likely have to take on a similar minute load. San Antonio’s best option may be to play Carter Bryant as a small-ball center, but he has also looked outmatched in this series. Mitch Johnson may need to get creative to find a solution that gives Wembanyama a breather without leading to massive Knicks runs.
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