Victor Wembanyama acknowledged responsibility for a critical late-game mistake as the San Antonio Spurs fell 105-104 to the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, leaving San Antonio in a 2-0 series deficit.

With just over 12 seconds remaining and the score tied, Wembanyama secured a rebound and attempted to initiate a fast break that could have led to a game-winning shot.

Instead, his pass inadvertently struck teammate Stephon Castle and was recovered by Jalen Brunson, who drew a foul and converted the decisive free throw.

Wembanyama described the play as a lapse driven by urgency, admitting frustration over wasting a strong comeback effort in which the Spurs erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

He emphasized the need for better composure in crucial moments, particularly after a sequence in the final possessions that included a missed shot, the turnover, a foul, and another missed attempt at the buzzer.Despite finishing with a game-high 29 points, including 22 in the second half, Wembanyama struggled in clutch shooting situations.His final attempt, a contested 20-footer, missed, continuing a trend of limited success in go-ahead shots during the closing seconds of games.The Knicks capitalized on San Antonio’s mistakes, with Karl-Anthony Towns contributing efficiently and Brunson delivering in key moments.Historically, teams that take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals hold a dominant series record, placing additional pressure on the Spurs.

San Antonio players and coaches stressed the importance of regrouping and improving execution, particularly in rebounding and late-game decision-making.

While acknowledging New York’s strong performance, the Spurs remain focused on adjusting their play and responding in Game 3 to avoid falling further behind in the series.