点击查看原文：NBA Finals, Game 5: Spurs react after season ends in heartbreak
NBA Finals, Game 5: Spurs react after season ends in heartbreak
A dejected San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) sits on the court during the fourth quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
Jalen Brunson scored 45 points to lead yet another rally and end the Spurs’ season in heartbreak, as the Knicks claimed the NBA championship for the first time since 1973 with a 94-90 win in Game 5 on Saturday in the Frost Bank Center.
For the fifth straight game, the Spurs built a double-digit lead in the first quarter, and for the fourth time in the series, they failed to convert the advantage into a win.
Rookie Dylan Harper scored a team-leading 25 points off the bench, while Victor Wembanyama finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. But the Spurs shot less than 40% for the game, allowing the Knicks to rally after San Antonio led by as many as 16 points.
The loss ends a season that many would consider ahead of schedule, with 22-year-old Wembanyama, 21-year-old Stephon Castle and 20-year-old Harper leading the charge to a 62-win campaign and a spot in the NBA Finals despite their youth.
But the 2026 Finals will also be remembered as a missed opportunity, as the Spurs held a lead during the final two minutes of each of the first four games, then built a 16-point cushion in Game 5.
Wembanyama’s pass off the back of an unaware Castle in the closing seconds with a chance to win Game 2 could prove particularly haunting. The Knicks’ rally from 29 points down to win Game 4 — the largest comeback in NBA Finals history — may also be hard to shake.
Still, with most of the roster set to return, San Antonio enters the offseason viewed as a favorite, alongside Oklahoma City, to return to the Finals stage in 2027.
Catch up on live updates and postgame reaction from the year’s crushing conclusion:
Just minutes after losing in Game 5 to conclude his first trip to the NBA Finals, Victor Wembanyama said one of the most painful aspects to grapple with was the length of the wait until his next opportunity.
“What I’m pissed about is there’s probably 100 games before we can be back in the Finals,” Wembanyama said. “I’m going to have to hold that inside of me, and slow down, and wait, and execute for 100 games.”
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama: “What I’m pissed about is there’s probably 100 games before we can be back in the Finals. … I’m going to have to hold that inside of me and slow down and wait and execute for 100 games.” pic.twitter.com/4WuL1JutRD
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
Many great players through NBA history have had to wait much longer. Asked about the likes of Michael Jordan needing until his seventh season to capture a championship and LeBron James not reaching the pinnacle until his ninth year, Wembanyama embraced the challenge.
“It’s painful, but I’m not running away from that. I’m using that to fuel me,” Wembanyama said. “This is the biggest lesson of my life. As a team, there’s no better experience than what we just lived.”
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, asked about the trend of great players often needing many years to win a title: “It’s painful, but I’m not running away from that. I’m using that to fuel me. … As I said, this is the biggest lesson of my life. As a team, there’s no better… pic.twitter.com/efw8q8n10t
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
The young Spurs arrived at the Finals stage much earlier than many expected, and guard Devin Vassell said the team “proved a lot of people wrong.”
“On the surface level, I don’t think anybody other than the people in that room expected us to be here,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “There’s a lot of good in that, and there’s a lot of pain in what just happened. Both things can be true.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson after a season-ending loss in the NBA Finals: “On the surface level, I don’t think anybody other than the people in that room expected us to be here. There’s a lot of good in that, and there’s a lot of pain in what just happened. Both things can be… pic.twitter.com/BFxUUjDKzD
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
Forward Julian Champagnie said Johnson shared another uplifting message in the locker room.
“Keep our heads up. He’s proud of us,” Champagnie said. “Wouldn’t want it no other way. Wouldn’t want to coach 18 other guys.”
Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, on the message from coach Mitch Johnson after losing Game 5 of the NBA Finals: “Keep our heads up. He’s proud of us. Wouldn’t want it no other way. Wouldn’t want to coach 18 other guys.” pic.twitter.com/c9T5HDu4Ak
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
The Knicks became the first team since 1971 to win the NBA Finals after trailing by 10 or more points in every game of the series.
For Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, the trend was a sign of a young team not yet ready to win a title.
“The simple consistency is we didn’t deserve to win the game,” Johnson said. “We weren’t ready to win an NBA championship. The better team won. We did a lot of good things, and we didn’t finish the job. That’s what it is.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson: “We weren’t ready to win an NBA championship. The better team won. We did a lot of good things and we didn’t finish the job. That’s what it is.” pic.twitter.com/4eKzrwIaGB
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
Guard Devin Vassell said the Knicks’ penchant for rallies only added to the letdown.
“It’s tough. It hurts, a lot. It stings, a lot. Hearing that right now, seeing them storm the court on our home court, it’s tough," Vassell said. “We know we’ll do everything we can, scratch, fight to get back into this position and have a different outcome. But, right now, it’s tough.”
Spurs guard Devin Vassell: “It’s tough. It hurts, a lot. It stings, a lot. Hearing that right now, seeing them storm the court on our home court, it’s tough. We know we’ll do everything we can, scratch, fight to get back into this position and have a different outcome. But, right… pic.twitter.com/8I2IO3ISsg
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
The strong stretches proved the Spurs were good enough to win a title, but center Victor Wembanyama said a team as strong as the Knicks will punish every mistake.
“One of many things I learned is the margin of error is very, very thin,” Wembanyama said. "We absolutely dominated for most of the series, but our mistakes are punished so hard, that we can’t have ups and downs like this, so much. … The downs is the reason we lost.”
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama: “One of many things I learned is the margin of error is very, very thin. … We absolutely dominated for most of the series, but our mistakes are punished so hard, that we can’t have ups and downs like this, so much. … The downs is the reason we… pic.twitter.com/FWDm5wnS58
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
Victor Wembanyama closed the first playoff run of his career with 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in Game 5. The 22-year-old Defensive Player of the Year also racked up plenty of newfound knowledge.
“This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment,” Wembanyama said. “I can’t tell exactly what the lesson is, but we’re learning from that, for sure. I’m learning more than any other time in my life before.”
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama after losing in the NBA Finals: “This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment. I can’t tell exactly what the lesson is, but we’re learning from that, for sure. I’m learning more than any other time in my life before.” pic.twitter.com/AD4ZlQuMFn
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson hopes the rest of the roster comes away with both fresh wisdom and a new mindset.
“I hope it leads them to be hungrier than they’ve ever been,” Johnson said. "I hope it leads them to be more motivated than they’ve ever been.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on what he wants a young team to take from a run to the NBA Finals: “I hope it leads them to be hungrier than they’ve ever been. I hope it leads them to be more motivated than they’ve ever been.” pic.twitter.com/G2EqdbzwD0
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
At just 20 years old, rookie Dylan Harper was San Antonio’s most potent offensive option for stretches of Game 5, finishing with a team-high 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting.
He became the first rookie to score 25 or more points in a Finals game since the Phoenix Suns’ Richard Dumas in 1993, and the fourth rookie to record back-to-back games with 20 or more points in the Finals after notching 21 in Game 4.
“I don’t know if anybody knew he was that talented probably besides himself,” Vassell said. “He was upset with playing time and different roles he was in, but when we needed him most, he stepped up. We have a star in the making.”
Spurs guard Devin Vassell on Dylan Harper: “I don’t know if anybody knew he was that talented probably besides himself. He was upset with playing time and different roles he was in, but when we needed him most, he stepped up. We have a star in the making.” pic.twitter.com/cyiyRPt2XB
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 14, 2026
Mikal Bridges hit just one of two at the free-throw line with 8.3 seconds to play, leaving one last opening for the Spurs to come back, trailing 93-90.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) is helped up by teammates after committing a foul during the fourth quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
The Spurs scored just two points over a stretch of six-plus minutes as the Knicks rallied, but Victor Wembanyama snapped the streak with a free throw in the final two minutes, fouling out Karl-Anthony Towns in the process.
The Knicks still hold a two-point cushion with less than two minutes to play, setting up a tense finish.
San Antonio Spurs Associate Head Coach Sean Sweeney calls in a play during the fourth quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
Ripping off 10 straight points by himself, Jalen Brunson pulled the Knicks into a tie with less than five minutes remaining.
The Knicks’ star is up to 40 points, his highest total in the playoffs this season.
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) and San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) guard New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the fourth quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
The crunch-time star all series for the Knicks, guard Jalen Brunson is up to 36 points on 12-of-23 shooting, pulling New York as close as four points down the stretch.
San Antonio led by as many as 16 points early in the game, but another tight finish appears to be in store for Game 5.
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) drives up the court past New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) during the second quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
After a thunderous baseline dunk Victor Wembanyama is up to 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks early in the fourth quarter of Game 5.
Coach Mitch Johnson has found plenty of opportunities for Wembanyama to rest through the first three quarters, opening the door to the possibility that he might not come off the floor the rest of the way.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) has his shot blocked by San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) during the second quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
With the Frost Bank Center crowd chanting his name, Spurs’ 20-year-old rookie Dylan Harper looked like the best player on the court for stretches of the third quarter, helping San Antonio carry a 72-65 lead into the final period.
Harper has 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting with three assists, two rebounds and no turnovers in 22 minutes. He’s also contributed to a strong defensive effort, as the Spurs are holding the Knicks to 32.9% shooting.
New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) passes the ball off past San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the second quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
The Spurs’ two New York area kids, Julian Champagnie (Brooklyn) and Dylan Harper (New Jersey) are coming up big in this must-win game.
Harper has 18 points on 7 of 10 from the field. Champgnie has 14 points powered by a 5-of-7 effort from 3-point range.
Both said before the series started they wanted to play the villain role against their home area Knicks.
-Tom Orsborn
New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) tries to make a shot over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
After landing on Victor Wembanyama’s foot and rolling his ankle following a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter, Knicks guard Jalen Brunson seemed exasperated with the officials, screaming for a foul.
Though no whistle was assessed on the play, the league could potentially review the action and deem it a flagrant foul retroactively. For Wembanyama, that would trigger an automatic one-game suspension, as he already has three flagrant points as a result of fouls earlier in the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) fight over a loose ball during the second quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
Guard Stephon Castle entered the night averaging 18.7 points per game in the playoffs, but he’s yet to hit a shot in Game 5.
Through 21 minutes on the court, Castle has two points (from a pair of free throws) on 0-for-7 shooting with two assists, three turnovers and three fouls.
As the Knicks continue to hang around in Game 5, trailing by just five points about midway through the third quarter, the Spurs will likely need more from one of their biggest stars.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) guards New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
Only 15 seconds into the third quarter, Karl-Anthony Towns was whistled for his fourth foul defending a lob to Victor Wembanyama.
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) is helped up by San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) after drawing a foul during the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
Perhaps the brightest star in Games 1 and 2, Towns heads to the bench in Game 5.
With the exception of Dylan Harper (11 points on 4 of 6 from the field), the benches for both teams have been quiet.
The Spurs lead in bench points 14-0, but, again, that’s all Harper.
The Knicks’ Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Miles McBride are a combined 0 for 6 from the floor.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) tries to get a shot over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
Keldon Johnson continues to be a major disappointment for the Spurs after winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award. He’s got three points on 1 of 4 from the field.
It’s a safe bet the Knicks will get something out of their reserves in the second half, but who outside of Harper is going to step up for the Spurs? The pressure is on Johnson to make a contribution.
-Tom Orsborn
After the Knicks ate into the Spurs’ lead through the second quarter, Devin Vassell hit a fadeaway jumper on the final possession to give San Antonio a 42-37 lead at halftime.
Jalen Brunson has scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Knicks, while Dylan Harper has 11 off the bench for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama posted nine points, nine rebounds and five blocks. San Antonio held New York to just 29.5% shooting, but the Spurs hit just 34.1% at the other end.
San Antonio Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk (8) gets a dunk over San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
San Antonio’s largest lead was 16 points, but New York pulled as close as three late in the quarter.
After two days of criticism for a tough second half and ill-fated decision to attempt a layup rather than winding more time off the clock in Game 4, De’Aaron Fox is out to another rough night in Game 5.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) questions a foul early on in the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
He finished the first half with five points on 2-of-8 shooting pus one assist and two turnovers, and he also had a second-quarter foul upgraded to a flagrant after review.
The Spurs have already afforded Victor Wembanyama more rest than he found in all of Game 4, as Luke Kornet has delivered nearly seven effective minutes off the bench while Wembanyama caught his breath.
Wembanyama played just shy of 44 minutes in Game 4, and coach Mitch Johnson suggested on Friday that he “could have done better” managing the rotation to keep Wemby fresh.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) passes the ball off to San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
Whether the extra breathers have been a part of the equation or not, Wembanyama has been a force at both ends to start Game 5, with nine points, eight rebounds and five blocks in his first 14 minutes.
Also critical to Wembanyama’s availability, Johnson successfully challenged a call that would have been Wemby’s second foul. New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns was whistled for his second foul instead.
The Spurs are the first team in Finals history to lead by 10-plus points in the first quarter in the first five games, per Spurs radio voice Dan Weiss. They led 23-13 entering the second period.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives towards the basket while being guarded by San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) during the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
The Knicks’ 13 points marked the fewest by a team in a single quarter in the Finals since Golden State had 11 in the fourth quarter in Game 3 of the 2022 Finals.
-Tom Orsborn
Victor Wembanyama is up to five blocks in his first 10 minutes on the court, leading the charge for a defense that held the Knicks to just 13 points in the first 14 minutes of game time.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) bumps San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) while driving towards the paint in the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
The Knicks have hit just 1 of their 14 shot attempts from inside the arc and have turned the ball over five times. A 3-for-10 shooting start from 3-point range was the only sign of life.
Spurs reserve big man Luke Kornet just logged four minutes while Victor Wembanyama got a much-needed rest after recording six points, three rebounds and three blocks in the game’s first three minutes.
The Spurs upgraded Kornet to available after listing him as questionable on Friday’s injury report due to an illness. It’s a significant development after he played only four minutes in Game 4, a factor in Wembanyama experiencing fatigue late in the 107-106 loss.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) goes for a layup past San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) and San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) during the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson declined to say before the game if Kornet was ill during Game 4, but the ninth-year center played only one minute in the second half.
-Tom Orsborn
Going up 18-8 with about three minutes to play in the opening quarter, the Spurs have now built a double-digit lead over the Knicks in all five games in the series.
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox (4) knocks the ball away from New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
Of course, those strong opening bursts have only translated into one win in the series. San Antonio will hope Game 5 is a different story.
Knocking down his first three shot attempts of Game 5, Dylan Harper chipped in seven points across his first three minutes in the game off the bench.
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) walks the baseline and delivers a reverse layup over New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) during the first quarter of game five of the NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, June13, 2026.
His last basket was his most impressive, reaching from behind the basket to put a reverse layup high off the glass from a difficult angle. The 20-year-old rookie continues to appear ready for the moment.
Victor Wembanyama posted six points, three rebounds and three blocks in the first five minutes of Game 5, asserting himself on the interior.
Finals signage is displayed prior to the start of Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Wembanyama hasn’t had more than four blocks in a game since the second round of the playoffs, but he’s on pace to shatter that number in Game 5. He was whistled for his first foul less than two minutes in, but he’s kept his record clean since.
The Spurs and Knicks each went two minutes without scoring to open Game 5, before Victor Wembanyama delivered a block on one end and a reverse dunk in transition on the other to put San Antonio on the board first.
Jalen Brunson promptly answered with a 3-pointer, as each team’s top star appropriately landed the first punches.
With the Knicks one win away from their first title in 53 years, traveling New York fans are attempting to stage a takeover of the Frost Bank Center for Saturday’s Game 5.
The Knicks fans were a presence in Games 1 and 2, sometimes matching the cheers from Spurs fans during big moments. But if player introductions are any indication, Game 5 looks to be closer to a 50-50 split in fan support. Expect it to be loud both ways in the Frost Bank Center.
Despite holding a lead in the last two minutes of each game, the Spurs trail 3-1 in the NBA Finals, facing elimination as Game 5 arrives at 7:30 p.m. Saturday from the Frost Bank Center.
History is not on the Spurs’ side, as only one of the previous 38 teams to fall into a 3-1 hole in the Finals have gone on to win the series — the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the Knicks in position to secure their first championship since 1973, the New York fans are expected to make their presence felt in the Frost Bank Center.
“Everything that we prepared for and everything we’ve been through this season is on the line tonight,” Johnson said. “We know the severity of what we have going on tonight, and we’ve done it to ourselves. We understand that, and we know we have to go out here and double down and get it done.”
Spurs forward Keldon Johnson: “Everything that we prepared for and everything we’ve been through this season is on the line tonight. … We know the severity of what we have going on tonight, and we’ve done it to ourselves. We understand that, and we know we have to go out here… pic.twitter.com/JYieJmrKlb
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 13, 2026
With only a 3-1 deficit in the series to show for four late leads, the young Spurs will need to grow up fast and finish strong to begin chipping away in the series, writes beat reporter Jeff McDonald with the San Antonio Express-News.
Also critical for the Spurs will be managing Victor Wembanyama’s minutes to keep him fresh down the stretch, and remaining focused on one game at a time.
Spurs backup center Luke Kornet was a surprise addition to the injury report on Friday night, with the team listing him as questionable due to an illness, but coach Mitch Johnson said Kornet will be available for Game 5 of the Finals on Saturday night.
“He’s been sick, but he’s getting better, and he’ll be available tonight,” Johnson said.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on Luke Kornet’s status after he was listed questionable on the injury report due to an illness: “I didn’t hear about it in Game 4. He’s been sick, but he’s getting better, and he’ll be available tonight.” pic.twitter.com/2oV8t2Qod6
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) June 13, 2026
Kornet has played in all 22 playoff games for the Spurs this year, averaging 3.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 13 minutes per game. But he’s coming off his weakest performance in the Spurs’ 107-106 loss in Game 4, playing just four minutes with no points, no rebounds and three fouls.
With their season hanging in the balance, the Spurs arrived at Frost Bank Center on Saturday looking calm, comfortable and focused.
Ahead of a must-win Game 5 against the New York Knicks, Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and Julian Champagnie traded flashy designer statements for relaxed streetwear and understated fits, reflecting the businesslike approach surrounding the team as it tries to extend its NBA Finals run.
Center Victor Wembanyama arriving at Frost Bank Center ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
