{"id":736036,"date":"2026-06-14T13:09:36","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T13:09:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/736036\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T13:09:36","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T13:09:36","slug":"young-talented-spurs-are-just-getting-started-despite-nba-finals-letdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/736036\/","title":{"rendered":"Young, talented Spurs are just getting started despite NBA Finals letdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many lessons to be learned by the young, talented San Antonio Spurs<\/a> as they went down in five games to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While the Knicks and their long-suffering fans get to celebrate a championship for the first time since 1973<\/a>, it’s the Spurs who will look back on this series and detail some of the mind-boggling mistakes that let a title slip through their fingers.<\/a><\/p>\n

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San Antonio led by double digits in all five games, including a 29-point second-half lead in Game 4 that quickly evaporated<\/a> under a hail of poor shot selection, and at the end of the game, a decision by De’Aaron Fox not to dribble out the clock, which could have swung the series in their favor.<\/p>\n

So, while the Spurs have all summer to ponder what-ifs, they should be right back in the fold in the Western Conference next season.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

The New York Knicks secured the NBA title<\/a> with a decisive performance to close out the Finals.<\/p>\n

See the defining moments from the championship\u2011clinching win as the series came to an end.<\/p>\n

Above, Mikal Bridges #25 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks react during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

The New York Knicks secured the NBA title<\/a> with a decisive performance to close out the Finals.<\/p>\n

See the defining moments from the championship\u2011clinching win as the series came to an end.<\/p>\n

Above, Mikal Bridges #25 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks react during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks is interviewed by Ernie Johnson Jr. after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reacts after his made three-point basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against De’aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Pool, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball against Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks reaches for a loose ball during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles against Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots the ball between Mitchell Robinson #23 and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns shoots over 24 during the first quarter during Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.<\/p>\n

(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard De\u2019Aaron Fox (4) in the first half during Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.<\/p>\n

(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart argues a call with referee Tyler Ford (39) during the first quarter during Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.<\/p>\n

(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs grabs a rebound during the second half against the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Pool, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs defends a shot attempt by OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during the first quarter in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Ronald Cortes, Getty Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots over New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) in the first half during Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles the ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) in the second half during Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 18<\/p>\n

Best moments from Knicks\u2019 title-clinching NBA Finals win<\/p>\n

Devin Vassell #24 and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs react during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.<\/p>\n

(Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)<\/p>\n

It all starts and ends with Victor Wembanyama<\/a>, who this season turned into a superstar, earning first-team All-NBA honors and winning Defensive Player of the Year in a unanimous vote<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

While still only 22 years of age, Wembanyama sometimes showed his age during the playoffs, committed stupid flagrant fouls, hoisted ill-advised threes, and did not ask to be taken out of the game when he was clearly fatigued. That responsibility also lies at the feet of head coach Mitch Johnson, who also failed to use timeouts in a desperate manner when settling down his young squad would have been the smart move.<\/p>\n

Wembanyama averaged 39.7 minutes per game in the series, averaging 26.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game \u2013 one of six Spurs who averaged double figures in scoring in the series.<\/p>\n

Wembanyama’s supporting cast is solid, but one thing needs to be clear. Game 5 should be the final game that Dylan Harper<\/a> starts on the bench. The rookie led San Antonio with 25 points, and at times could not be stopped no matter what Knicks defender tried to stand in his way.<\/p>\n

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The team doesn’t need much: they ranked third in points scored, fourth in offensive efficiency and third in defensive efficiency.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is they have the tools to win the championship.<\/p>\n

But in the Finals, they relied too much on third-point shooting, and while that got them a record 14 in the first half of Game 4, they still lost the game because they had no alternative when those shots didn’t fall in the second half. A proven three-point shooter should be first on the mind of general manager Brian Wright. The NBA catchword is spacing, and as Wembanyama gets stronger and plays more in the paint, San Antonio would be better off with shooters who could make teams pay for trying to bully Wembanyama.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama<\/a> pumps his fist at the end of the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026. Victor Wembanyama<\/a>\u00a0became the\u00a0youngest player in NBA history<\/a>\u00a0to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama<\/a> pumps his fist at the end of the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026. Victor Wembanyama<\/a>\u00a0became the\u00a0youngest player in NBA history<\/a>\u00a0to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award Monday, April 20 in the first unanimous vote in league history.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama passes the ball away from Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) in the second half at Ball Arena in Denver on April 4, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama blocks the shot of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic in the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on April 4, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on Apr 19, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after dunking ahead of Philadelphia 76ers forwards Justin Edwards (11) and Dominick Barlow (25) during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center on Apr 6, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) runs on the court against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at the Chase Center on Apr 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Cary Edmondson, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) is introduced before the game against then Chicago Bulls at Frost Bank Center on Mar 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Daniel Dunn, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

LA Clippers guard Jordan Miller (22) shoots the ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half at Intuit Dome on Mar. 16, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) in the first half at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 10, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Daniel Dunn, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in introduced before the game against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 8, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Daniel Dunn, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts with teammates forwards Carter Bryant (11) and Julian Champagnie (30) and guard Devin Vassell (24) after securing a comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 6, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama (1) beats a drum and leads fans on a cheer after a victory over the Detroit Pistons at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks over Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) and at Frost Bank Center on Mar. 5, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) rebounds the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Mar. 3, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks to pass the ball from the floor during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Moody Center on Feb. 19, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Scott Wachter, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) and San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) battle for a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center on Jan. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n

(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) defends Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) in the second half at State Farm Arena on Dec. 19, 2025<\/p>\n

(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama during practice prior to the Emirates NBA Cup championship at the T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 15, 2025<\/p>\n

(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)\"\"<\/p>\n

19 \/ 19<\/p>\n

Victor Wembanyama wins Defensive Player of the Year: See Spurs star in action<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Oct. 22, 2025.<\/p>\n

(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Whether Wembanyama needs some maturity (pointing to his head after drawing a Game 4 flagrant on Mitchell Robinson) or is being overly confident, saying “everybody knows we’re gonna do it,” when referring to the team’s chances at coming back from a 3-1 series deficit, is a matter of debate depending on who is doing the debating.<\/p>\n

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\u201cOne of many things I\u2019ve learned is the margin of error is very, very thin,\u201d Wembanyama said after the Game 5 loss. \u201cOur domination instincts are absolute. We absolutely dominated for most of the series. But our errors, our mistakes, are punished so hard. We can\u2019t have ups and downs like this, the ups are okay, the downs are the reason we lost.<\/p>\n

As far as next year’s roster turnover, there shouldn’t be much of it. The team should be able to replenish the bench, as none of the six unrestricted free agents were part of the regular rotation in the playoffs. A savvy veteran who has playoff experience and is seeking a title run wouldn’t hurt.<\/p>\n

Small forward Julian Champagnie, a starter who averaged 11 points during the finals, has a $3 million club option for next season.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment,\u201d Wembanyama said . \u201cI can\u2019t tell exactly what the lesson is, but we\u2019re learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

If they want to get back to the championship series in the near future, the Spurs need to pinpoint that lesson.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: San Antonio Spurs with Victor Wembanyama will remain top NBA team<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There are many lessons to be learned by the young, talented San Antonio Spurs as they went down…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":736037,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,187868,12842,35183,16104,590,1666,12837,10549,85,28021,12838,7897],"class_list":["post-736036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nba","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-de39aaron-fox","tag-dylan-harper","tag-julian-champagnie","tag-mitchell-robinson","tag-nba","tag-new-york-knicks","tag-san-antonio","tag-san-antonio-spurs","tag-sports","tag-the-spurs","tag-victor-wembanyama","tag-western-conference"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/736036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=736036"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/736036\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/736037"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=736036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=736036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=736036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}