By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following their physical battle in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, Victor Wembanyama talked about the San Antonio Spurs falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Paycom Center.
A primary challenge was containing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Most Valuable Player of the 2025-26 Regular Season, who powered his team with a game-high 30 points. “He made shots, but nothing he hasn’t made all season. So, we worked on it. We just didn’t apply as much,” noted Wemby during his postgame press conference following Wednesday’s contest.
The Spurs’ backcourt depth suffered a devastating blow. Beyond missing veteran guard De’Aaron Fox for a second consecutive game due to a right high ankle sprain, Dylan Harper hurt his right leg in the second half. When asked how the team handled these injuries, Wembanyama was blunt about the squad’s execution. “Not well. We got to help our ball-handlers more, and take care of the ball,” he said. “We needed some points, for sure. Taking care of the ball, helping the main ball-handlers, and being aggressive, just like we were in the third quarter.”
His side mounted a furious second-half rally to chip away at a double-digit deficit, but their comeback ultimately fell short. The French superstar pointed to the exhausting nature of that uphill battle as the chief disappointment of the night. “I would say it was spending so much energy catching back up to the score, and let it go away,” he answered a question about what was the most frustrating part of the loss.
Previewing the next games against the defending champions, Wemby emphasized that the team must eliminate mental lapses and hold their focus for a full 48 minutes, holding himself accountable for late-game stagnation. “Just consistency throughout the game, our game plan. I can think about a few down moments for myself, especially in the fourth quarter,” he underlined.
Wembanyama spent the night fighting for position against German center Isaiah Hartenstein. “The tactics, we all know by heart, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy. We have to work for it,” he acknowledged a necessary straight effort to counter the Thunder adjustments.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94, 94-125)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 1-0 (115-104)
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 1-1 (115-122, 122-113)
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions