NBA FINALS: KNICKS VS. SPURS

June 8, 2026

Victor Wembanyama

San Antonio Spurs

Game 3: Postgame

San Antonio Spurs 115, New York Knicks 111

Q. You obviously got Knicks fans riled up during the game. There was a colorful chant directed towards you. Seems as though you may be New York's newest villain. Is that the ultimate compliment?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: I guess. I'm nowhere near Trae Young level, though [smiling].

Q. Yesterday, Luke told me that he liked playing in road Playoff environments, especially tough ones, because the adversity makes a team come together. Do you feel like your team came together tonight in the face of a rocking Madison Square Garden crowd?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: Yes. At home it really feels like playing six against five. Here it feels like five against six [smiling].

I agree with Luke. It really shows what teams are made of.

Q. Even on nights where De'Aaron is not shooting the best, he's still finding ways to impact you guys. How would you describe your trust in him at the end of games?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: I mean, the trust, it's not even a question. That's his identity. So the trust is just complete. We know it's reliable, as reliable as they get. Experienced at that.

So he brings everything we need.

Q. You've had three close fourth quarters. What would you think was the biggest difference in you actually getting the win today? Do you feel it was more physical, mental or execution, or all of them?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: I guess a little bit of all. Most importantly feels like it's communication.

Q. In what way?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: Knowing our coverages. Knowing our plays on defense, knowing our plays on offense. Being there early and letting our teammates know what to do if we see things.

Q. You said after last game that things weren't clear. Tonight it seemed like you played with a lot of clarity. What have you done the last few days in New York to try to get your mind clear? How did that help you for tonight?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: Really tried to relax. The Playoffs, it's like a - I don't know how to say that word - a whirlwind. It's hard to put your head out of the water. Sometimes I don't even got to watch the game back right away. I need some time off, let my brain cool down, recover. Recover as much for the body as for the mind.

Q. Over the summer you worked with KG, Hakeem and some monks as well. What in particular did you learn that has helped you in the Playoffs, particularly with this pressure being down?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: I remember running laps and laps during the summer, and like my hamstrings were burning. But, I mean, I was pushing through because I was trying to push my limit. In the Playoffs I felt the hamstrings burning from running so much, playing sometimes 25 game-minutes in a row.

So the physical aspect is really the difference maker.

Q. Can you tell us what you drew? Was that a video of you drawing in the park? Was it real?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: I didn't see it. I drew the statue of that park. I don't know the name of the park.

Q. Was the drawing good?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: Not bad. Pretty good [smiling].

Q. Going back to what was the difference at the end of the game, Steph Castle comes up with the big three, the free throws. What did you think of his role there? The scene with his free throws where the crowd is going crazy?

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA: Steph's role? He might be the most mature player on our team. And he’s nowhere near the oldest. He's been in big games before. He's been in big games before the NBA. I'm not surprised by this. He's shown over and over again that he's capable and that we are right to put our trust in him.

At the end I didn't even hear the crowd really. I was focused on trying to get the rebound in case he missed. But that was useless.