Game 4 at Madison Square Garden now feels like a defining night for the San Antonio Spurs, who have dragged themselves back into the NBA Finals.
The New York Knicks still lead 2-1, but San Antonio’s Game 3 win changed the tone of the series and gave Victor Wembanyama another chance to show how ready he is for this stage.
The Spurs are young enough for their lack of experience to be a fair question, but their composure has already looked far older than their years, and De’Aaron Fox explained why that might be their biggest strength against New York.
Fox explains why Spurs are not overwhelmed by NBA Finals pressure
Wemby was outstanding in Game 3, finishing with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks as San Antonio cut the series deficit with a 115-111 win. It was the kind of performance that made Wembanyama silence the doubters on one of the loudest stages in basketball.
He is still only 22, but his response to pressure already looks elite. The same can be said of Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, who have both been excellent, despite their lack of playoff experience.
Speaking to News 4 San Antonio, Fox said the young Spurs do not look like a team waiting to be swallowed by the occasion.
He explained: “They just don’t have the personalities that you would think that are just going to be overwhelmed by something.
“I don’t know what they’re feeling on the inside, obviously. What you see out there on the court with them, just when you see it on their faces when New York is going on a run, you don’t see them panic.”
That calm is crucial because getting another road win at MSG will be even harder. The building will be desperate to push the Knicks within one win of the title, and the Spurs know they will be walking into another hostile night.
Fox went on: “We find a comfort playing on the road, knowing when you’re in this environment, it’s us versus them, and obviously everybody in the crowd. When you know that — everybody behind you has your back — it allows you to settle into these games.”
Castle has been the clearest example of that attitude. The 21-year-old has played like someone who wants the pressure, not someone trying to survive it.
He spoke to media after a huge Game 3, hammering home the mentality this Spurs team carry.
He said: “It’s something you can’t shy away from, especially with the goals and aspirations that we have. Just focus on the things that matter throughout the game and not really paying too close attention to the crowd.
“They’re going to be there regardless, especially cheering on their team. You should want to play in those environments. I feel like that’s when we play at our best.”
That is the right mentality for a team this young. San Antonio have already shown they can win in New York, but Game 4 will be the ultimate test of whether you can win the chip with ‘kids’.
- READ MORE: Zohran Mamdani addresses Victor Wembanyama flagrant decision when predicting NBA Finals outcome
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
