This blunder will be featured in Victor Wembanayama “motivation” packages for years to come.
The Spurs’ phenom made an inexplicable mistake in the final 10 seconds Friday that led to the Knicks’ game-winning free throw in San Antonio’s 105-104 home loss to fall in a 2-0 NBA Finals series hole.
With a chance to hold for the final and potential game-winning shot, Wembanyama instead made an unforced error that led to a turnover and compounded his poor decision with a foul.
“I threw that one away. I messed up,” Wembanyama said. “We didn’t play great as a team. We needed to win that game. This game was ours. But at this point, it’s done.
“Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel me and fuel us next game? Absolutely.”
After Jalen Brunson missed a jumper with roughly 13 seconds remaining, Wembanyama corralled the rebound and attempted to pass to Stephon Castle, but the guard was looking up court.
The ball bounced off Castle’s back and went right to Brunson, and Wembanyama bumped into the Knicks’ guard for the foul to send him to the free throw line with 9.5 seconds remaining.
It appeared that Castle expected Wembanyama to dribble up the court or to take his time since the Spurs would likely be holding for the final shot.
There may have also been confusion about whether the Spurs would use their final timeout.
Wembanyama’s pass hits Castle in the back. @TheHoopCentral/XBrunson hit one of two free throws to give the Knicks a 105-104 lead before Wembanyama had a chance to redeem himself and be the hero.
However, he missed a 20-foot jumper over Mitchell Robinson with two seconds remaining and the Spurs are now officially in massive trouble.
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Wembanyama also missed a 16-foot jumper after the Knicks tied the game at 104-104, and he finished 0-for-2 with a turnover in the final 35 seconds.
He finished with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting, although this final minute will plague him.
Victor Wembanyama reacts after his costly mistake. @TheHoopCentral/XKarl-Anthony Towns also outplayed him for large stretches, particularly in the first half.
Wembanyama has yet to take over this series as expected despite averaging 27.5 points through the first two games, and with his nightmarish final minute Friday night at Frost Bank Center, it’s looking more and more likely that this series will be the one that fuels him for years to come.
