Victor Wembanyama Blames Spurs Game 4 Loss on Late-Game Greediness

Wembanyama Blames "Greediness" for Spurs’ Late-Collapse Defeat

The San Antonio Spurs’ 112–108 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on June 10 exposed a defensive identity crisis, according to center Victor Wembanyama, who criticized the team’s late-game decision-making as “greediness.” Speaking to reporters at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday, Wembanyama—who finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks—said the Spurs’ willingness to abandon their structured defense for high-percentage shots backfired against a Knicks bench that outscored the Spurs’ starters 32–14 in the fourth quarter.

"We got greedy late," Wembanyama said. "We wanted to take the easy shot, and that’s when the Knicks came alive. You can’t do that in the playoffs. You have to trust the system, even when it’s not pretty."

The Knicks’ fourth-quarter surge—sparked by Jalen Brunson’s 19 points and Julius Randle’s 24—came after San Antonio’s bench, led by Tre Jones (18 points) and Keldon Johnson (16), took over the game. The Spurs’ starters, including Wembanyama and Devin Vassell (22 points), struggled to contain the Knicks’ secondary units, a shift Wembanyama attributed to a breakdown in defensive communication.

"We talked about it in the locker room," Wembanyama added. "We knew we had to be better. But when you start chasing points instead of playing for the team, that’s when you lose."

Defensive Communication Breakdowns in the Fourth Quarter

The Knicks’ bench outscored the Spurs’ starters by 18 points in the fourth quarter, a trend that mirrored their Game 3 victory. According to NBA Advanced Stats, the Knicks’ secondary units ranked first in the league in bench scoring during the regular season, averaging 28.3 points per 100 possessions—a figure that rose to 32.1 in the playoffs. The Spurs, meanwhile, ranked 13th in defensive efficiency, with their starters often isolated against weaker opponents.

"They knew we were going to respect them," said Knicks forward Mitchell Robinson, who added 14 points and eight rebounds. "We just had to be patient and let them come to us."

The Spurs’ defensive scheme, built around Wembanyama’s rim protection and switchable wings, had dominated in the regular season, holding opponents to 98.7 points per 100 possessions. But in the playoffs, the Knicks’ ability to spread the floor and force mismatches exposed gaps. In Game 4, the Knicks shot 52.4% from three-point range, including 12-of-20 in the fourth quarter.

"We didn’t adjust quick enough," Wembanyama admitted. "By the time we realized what was happening, it was too late."

Knicks’ Bench Scoring Strategy Exploiting Spurs’ Defensive Vulnerabilities

With the loss, the Spurs now trail the Knicks 2–1 in the series, facing an elimination game at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The Knicks, who entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed with a 44–38 record, have now won three straight games after a slow start.

"This is a must-win for us," said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. "They’re a good team, but we’ve shown we can close out games. That’s what it’s about."

The Spurs’ next challenge will be managing Wembanyama’s workload. The 20-year-old center has played 38 minutes per game in the playoffs, a pace that has raised concerns about fatigue. In Game 4, he logged 36 minutes but showed signs of wear in the fourth quarter, finishing with a 100.1 player efficiency rating—a drop from his 112.3 in the regular season.

"He’s the heart of this team," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "But we have to make sure he’s fresh for Game 5. That’s the difference between winning and losing."

Spurs’ Fatigue Concerns and Game 5 Strategy Adjustments

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs center
"We got greedy late. We wanted to take the easy shot, and that’s when the Knicks came alive. You can’t do that in the playoffs. You have to trust the system, even when it’s not The team must now refine its late-game execution and maintain discipline on the floor if they hope to regain their momentum and secure a crucial victory in the upcoming fifth game.