Wembanyama: No Anxiety After Game 1 Finals Loss; Fan on Court as Unexpected as the Bat Incident

The NBA Finals Game 1 kicked off, with the Knicks defeating the Spurs 105-95 on the road, taking a 1-0 series lead. Wembanyama contributed 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, but shot only 6-of-21 from the field and 2-of-9 from three-point range, while also committing 6 turnovers. After the game, he spoke with the media —

Reporter: Throughout this playoff series, what makes Jalen Brunson so tough to guard? What led to him scoring 30 points tonight?

Wembanyama: He's a top superstar in the league. Luckily, this is a best-of-seven series, so we have plenty of opportunities to adjust. We'll gradually find ways to contain him.

Reporter: Coach Mitch just mentioned that the team needs to attack the paint more and establish an inside advantage. Do you feel you met that standard tonight? What needs to improve for Game 2?

Wembanyama: Clearly not, and I agree with the coach's point. Every team has different defensive schemes, and I'll slowly figure out countermeasures. Honestly, my individual performance tonight was poor, and there's no other complicated reason.

Reporter: In the middle of the third quarter, you led by 12 to 14 points. When did you feel the momentum start to slip? Was it the opponent suddenly making consecutive shots, or issues on your side?

Wembanyama: The collapse happened quickly. We simply threw away our lead.

Reporter: This was your first career Finals game. Did nerves or stage fright affect your performance tonight?

Wembanyama: The atmosphere was indeed different, but that can't be an excuse for a poor performance. The mentality didn't hold us back on the court.

Reporter: Setting aside the team, what aspects of your own play do you most regret after the game?

Wembanyama: No regrets. We've experienced losses in previous series too. It's just the first time losing in the Finals, and I'm not anxious at all.

Reporter: Every moment in the Finals means a lot to you. When your performance doesn't meet your expectations, how do you quickly adjust?

Wembanyama: A consistent preparation routine is key for me: carefully reviewing game footage, completing full recovery training, communicating with teammates, and holding each other accountable. That's how I adjust—I don't overthink things.

Reporter: In the fourth quarter, you briefly took a one-point lead but couldn't hold it. How did the Knicks disrupt your offensive momentum?

Wembanyama: We lost crucial offensive rebounds, and the responsibility falls on us. The Knicks are an experienced team that knows how to seize momentum. The advantage was in our hands in the fourth quarter, but we failed to capitalize.

Reporter: In previous playoff rounds, you often admitted you weren't at your best. How did you break out of those slumps? Based on this game, what adjustments do you need to make for the series?

Wembanyama: I don't need to deliberately search for solutions. I just need to play at my normal level—I don't even need to overperform. Just doing my job properly is enough. Whenever I personally underperform, the team tends to hurt itself, so I'm not worried at all. In the next game, both I and the team will bounce back significantly.

Reporter: All season, the team has maintained a mindset of not getting too high after wins or too low after losses, quickly moving on from single games. In the Finals, every detail is magnified. How do you keep the team steady while focusing on the series as a whole?

Wembanyama: Open communication among teammates, executing our game plan, and trusting each other. The key players with more ball-handling duties need to step up and set the tone from the start of Game 2.

Reporter: Based on this loss, what are your expectations for yourself and your teammates in Game 2?

Wembanyama: There are many areas to fix. The game just ended, and the details still need review. I'll watch the tape. We're scheduled to have a full team meeting around 11 a.m. tomorrow, and we'll likely identify over 30 adjustments.

Reporter: At the end of the game, a fan ran onto the court to take a photo with you. Have you ever encountered this kind of situation during a game before? What was going through your mind? Did you smile and pose for the photo?

Wembanyama: It was the first time in my life. I was caught off guard. The unexpectedness of it was about the same as when a bat flew into the court before.