17-year-old beaten into coma near MSG after Game 4 of NBA Finals, NYPD says

A 17-year-old boy is in stable condition after he was beaten into a coma near Madison Square Garden after Game 4 of the NBA Finals Wednesday, June 10, according to the New York Police Department.

After the New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 107-106, in the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, the crowd outside Madison Square Garden in New York turned unruly, refused to disperse and injured multiple police officers, the NYPD told USA TODAY Sports.

But the most serious incident that occurred near the arena involved the 17-year-old boy, according to the NYPD. At about 11:45 p.m., the boy was approached by a group of unidentified individuals and a verbal dispute ensued about the Knicks’ game, the NYPD told USA TODAY Sports.

The dispute escalated into a physical confrontation, leading to the victim being punched and kicked and causing the victim to suffer a seizure and subsequently go into a coma, according to the NYPD.

Unidentified individuals left the scene and there has been no arrest. But the NYPD has released a photo of the suspect.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 17-year-old beaten into coma near MSG after Knicks win in NBA Finals

Report: Detroit has “expressed interest” in Trey Murphy III

Apr 3, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (25) during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

So it begins.

Marc Stein released an article today on The Stein Line surrounding the most recent trade talks across the league. Give that a read for all the details, but Stein did have some news regarding the Detroit Pistons.

It’s no secret that this Pistons front office has connections to Trey Murphy III. Remember, Trajan Langdon traded up for Trey back in 2021 when he was General Manager of the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s also no secret that the Pelicans front office, specifically their Senior VP of Basketball Operations Troy Weaver, was responsible for drafting multiple of Detroit’s young players.

If there’s ever a match made in heaven, this seems to be it.

Stein reported:

This is the first time their (Pelicans) new front office regime headed by Joe Dumars has been truly willing to field offers for Murphy. … Two teams known to have expressed interest in the 25-year-old sharpshooter, I’m told, are Detroit and Indiana.

If Stein’s reporting this, you know Detroit’s interest in TMIII must be real.

He also went on to say that Detroit and Minnesota are known teams with interest in Kyrie Irving. Yet, with Masai Ujiri newly at the head of the Mavericks front office, he has expressed excitement about keeping Irving in Dallas.

We’re about a week and a half away from the NBA Draft and two-and-a-half weeks away from the start of free agency. Things are starting to ramp up and Detroit has the capital to entice New Orleans to make a deal like this if Trajan wants to take a swing.

I enjoyed how Stein ended his piece:

That’s two shooters by the way, for those of you scoring at home, who have been connected to the Pistons in this piece. After a 60-win season that end in the second round of the playoffs, Detroit clearly know what it needs.

Thank goodness, Marc.

Go Stones.

Yaxel Lendeborg says it would be ‘amazing’ to play with Steph Curry

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 04: Yaxel Lendeborg #23 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In today’s Dub Hub:

Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg worked out for the Golden State Warriors on Thursday as part of the team’s pre-draft process. Following the workout, Lendeborg spoke with reporters and was asked what it would be like to play alongside Warriors superstar Steph Curry if Golden State were to select him later this month.

As expected, the projected lottery pick didn’t hide his excitement.

It’s easy to understand why the idea appeals to Lendeborg. Curry’s constant movement and ability to draw multiple defenders have created countless easy opportunities for teammates throughout his career. For a versatile forward like Lendeborg, who thrives as a connective piece on both ends of the floor, those extra pockets of space could help elevate his game even further at the next level.

Meanwhile, the Warriors, who currently hold the No. 11 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, remain focused on balancing competing in the present with building for the future. Because of this, the 23-year-old Lendeborg has emerged as one of the prospects most frequently connected to Golden State in recent mock drafts.

Lendeborg’s NBA-ready skill set makes him one of the more intriguing options in this draft, and if his comments on Thursday are any indication, the opportunity to play alongside Curry on the Warriors is one he would gladly embrace.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, June 12th:

Warriors News:

Plug and play? NBA draft prospect Yaxel Lendeborg already can see Warriors fit | NBC Sports Bay Area

Already, Lendeborg can see his fit on the Warriors and how he would make an impact from Day 1 if they were to take him with the No. 11 pick. His answer wasn’t about himself. More so, it was about how he can help everybody else. 

“I would say, like five assists a game maybe to start off,” Lendeborg said Thursday after his Warriors workout. “A lot of defense, fastbreak opportunities for me. Depending on if I’m here or anywhere else, my role will be a lot different. But if I was here, I’ll be more like a secondary ball-handler. Whenever Steph [Curry] is taken out of the game, I’ll be there to assist, maybe provide a little more offense or instant offense.”

NBA Mock Draft 8.0: The latest projections for all 60 picks, including a new landing spot for Cameron Boozer | Yahoo Sports

Players who can handle, shoot off the dribble, and stand at 6-10 don’t grow on trees. This physical foundation kept Ament in lottery consideration even after a dreadful start to his freshman season when he struggled to score efficiently and make an impact defensively. But over the second half of the year for Tennessee, he flipped a switch and shots began to fall. He averaged 23.8 points over a six-game stretch in January and February that reminded everyone why he was a top recruit in the country. Then he dealt with an ankle injury that ruined his momentum entering March and severely struggled during the tournament. Steve Kerr re-signed for a two-year deal and would probably rather have a pro-ready player, but maybe Ament will be the young guy who exceeds expectations and turns into a star.

Draymond Green explains why he calls Jonathan Kuminga his biggest draft miss

NBA News:

Wembanyama issued flagrant, one point away from suspension | ESPN

Having now collected three flagrant foul points this postseason, Wembanyama is only one point away from an automatic suspension. He committed the latest transgression, a flagrant foul 1, with 9:27 left in the third quarter of Game 4 when he elbowed Karl-Anthony Towns in the chin as the two were tied up near the 3-point line.

Victor Wembanyama confident in the Spurs heading into Game 5: ‘Everybody knows we’re gonna do it’

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors ‘legitimately interested’ in adding LeBron James to their veteran core, per report

Whether this latest report ultimately leads anywhere remains to be seen. But if Golden State is indeed entering the final chapter of Curry’s championship window, there may be no more fascinating way to end it than by pairing Curry with the very player who once stood as the dynasty’s greatest rival.

A post to end the week:

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

Selena Gomez fires back at Taylor Swift NBA Finals drama: ‘It’s a basketball game’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, Image 2 shows Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay attend Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City.
Selena Gomez said her phone was buzzing after she commented "lol" underneath a photo of Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay supporting the Knicks at Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

Selena Gomez said her phone was buzzing after she commented “lol” underneath a photo of Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay supporting the Knicks at Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

Gomez, a Spurs fan and a Texas native, explained that she wasn’t insulting her best friend, Swift, and Hargitay, who wore matching blue-and-orange shirts while on celebrity row at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.

“Woke up and was sent so many texts. I would never insult my friends nor was it an insult. The comment was a reaction to the first slide on the page,” Gomez wrote in an Instagram Story post, referring to the photo of a smiling Swift smiling and Hargitay with her head on Swift’s shoulder that was posted by the MTV Instagram.

Selena Gomez said her phone was buzzing after she commented “lol” underneath a photo of Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay supporting the Knicks at Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals. Instagram/Selena Gomez

“Second I bet my friends on the game. The friends in the text chain I posted,” she continued, referencing a screenshot she shared on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday about fair-weather fans. “I lost but was poking at my opponents, my friends. Believe it or not I do have other friends in my life.

“But quickly forget that most assume otherwise. Also.. it’s a basketball game.”

Some believed Gomez was shading Swift with her “lol” comment on social media after the Knicks rallied from being down by 29 for a 107-106 win over the Spurs.

“Mad respect for the game!! Congrats to the peeps that represent! What a come back,” Gomez wrote over a screenshot of an NBA article of the New York’s historic comeback. “So funny how some are all the sudden fans though lol.”

Selena Gomez commented “lol” underneath a photo of Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay supporting the Knicks at Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals. MTV/Instagram
Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay attend Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images

Gomez shared a throwback photo of her in Spurs jersey while at a NBA game at the Staples Center, now Crypto.com Arena, in Los Angeles.

“Happy for NY but my heart breaks just a lil lol,” the “Only Murders in the Building” actress wrote.

“It’s ok. I’m happy for the teams! Thank you for giving us some great games @nba,” Gomez added.

Swift, who owns multiple properties in New York, attended Game 4 with friends, sisters and musical artists Este and Alana Haim, and was seen cheering and jumping up and down on celebrity row.

“She’s a huge fan of the Knicks and really wants to be there to support them,” an insider told Page Six ahead of Game 4.

Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024. CBS

Some questioned Swift’s Knicks fandom as it was the first home game she attended this season.

Knicks radio analyst Monica McNutt issued an apology and she “misspoke” after she questioned Swift’s Knicks loyalty while on the air during Game 4.

McNutt ruffled some feathers after she told her broadcast partner, Tyler Murray, that Swift was in the building and he pulled out his phone to take a photo.

“She’s not a Knicks fan. Get out of here, girl,” McNutt said, which set off Swifties online.

Swift and her fiancé, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce are set to tie the knot at the World’s Most Famous Arena on July 3.


Kyrie Irving may not be on the trading block despite Mavs’ rebuild

Earlier this month, we touched on the possibility of the Dallas Mavericks moving veterans Daniel Gafford and Kyrie Irving this offseason as the team looks to rebuild for the future with Cooper Flagg as its centerpiece. In many ways, those deals make a lot of sense. Dallas is starved for picks after this upcoming draft and veterans of this caliber could likely restock those tapped reserves.

In respect of moving Kyrie Irving in particular, there is a valid counterpoint that retaining him is the smarter choice. Irving has won a championship, brings veteran leadership (which a rebuilding team could benefit mightily from) and is an enticing pair for Flagg. Pragmatically, his trade value is also arguably at a low point given he just missed an entire season, lending more credence to him sticking around. According to Marc Stein (subscription required), Irving is set to do just that.

Stein says the Mavericks have received inquiries from other teams regarding Irving’s availability in a trade. Intuitively, we all have basically known this for some time. However, he goes on to indicate that the Mavs have thus far shut down any such conversations as they indicate to teams that Irving is not on the trading block. This echoes Mavs’ President Masai Ujiri’s comments in a recent press conference, where he spoke highly of Irving and touched on his excitement to see him and Flagg share the court.

That said, even a well-respected and well-connected guy like Stein gets it wrong sometimes (who doesn’t?), but let’s assume this report is spot on. If Irving is firmly in the fold, that is one less trade piece Dallas has in play. That, in turn, seemingly increases the odds of another vet (or more) heading toward the door. Stein further suggests that Gafford, P.J. Washington and Klay Thompson are the most likely Mavs to be moved. Further, it means another starting spot in the rotation is covered alongside Flagg, which may influence how Dallas goes about their draft choices in a few weeks. It’s certainly not unreasonable to think the #9 pick will be a starting caliber player, but with Irving running point, does that influence who Dallas intends to select in this draft rife with guard talent? There are many options here – select a guard and start him next to Irving, select a guard and bring him off the bench, don’t select a guard at all… There has been significant focus on Dallas acquiring a young backcourt player to usher in the future with Flagg, but it’s really anyone’s guess what Dallas will do now. Whatever the case, if Stein is correct, whomever they pick in a few weeks can expect to team up with both Flagg and Irving.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

New Giannis NBA trade rumors include ex-Cal star Jaylen Brown in three-team deal

The Boston Celtics are reportedly interested in trading Jaylen Brown with the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but will need to find a partner.

The Celtics are interested in trading Jaylen Brown to the Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and rumors skyrocketed Thursday after that was revealed by Kevin O’Connor.

According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, an NBA source confirmed the Celtics are more than bystanders.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name keeps surfacing in NBA trade rumors. Getty Images

But according to Winderman, the possibility of a deal involving Brown and Antetokounmpo might not be so simple because the Celtics need to find a third team to be part of the deal.

Winderman wrote that the Bucks are looking to maximize draft capital, youth and manageable contracts in an Antetokounmpo deal.

Brown is set to enter his age-30 season and still has three years left of a five-year, $285.4 million contract he signed after the Celtics won their first NBA championship with Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Jaylen Brown might be on his way out of Boston as part of a rumored three-team trade. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

With Brown’s age and hefty contract, there might not be as much interest by the Bucks in breaking up the Celtics’ core. Wilderman noted, though, that the Hawks and Pelicans might be interested in acquiring Brown.

Tatum missed most of the 2025-26 season nursing a torn Achilles that he suffered in the 2025 NBA playoffs.


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Brown was in MVP talks for most of the season, finishing with averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists. The Celtics (56-26) finished the regular season in second place in the East behind the Pistons (60-22).

But after a first-round exit in the playoffs, in which the Celtics blew a 3-1 lead against the 76ers, Boston might look for a change.

The Hawks (46-36) were one of the NBA’s more surprising teams after finishing the 2025-26 regular season in sixth place. But after blowing a 2-1 series lead against the Knicks and losing Game 6, 140-89, in the first round of the playoffs, their season ended.

The Pelicans (26-56) are coming off a miserable season and missed the playoffs. They could look to pair Brown with Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III, who led them in scoring last season after averaging 21.5 points per game.

ESPN's coverage of 2026 NBA Finals is setting ratings records for ABC

New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs players at the 2026 NBA Finals.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) shoots between San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard De'aaron Fox (4) during Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series in New York. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)

The stunning victory by the New York Knickerbockers over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday gave ABC the most-watched NBA Finals Game 4 since 1998, the year of Michael Jordan’s last championship with the Chicago Bulls.

Nielsen data showed an average of 20.9 million viewers watched the Knicks overcome a 29-point halftime deficit to top Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs 107-106 at Madison Square Garden, the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. The Knicks have a 3-1 lead in the series and will play Game 5 on Saturday in San Antonio, attempting to win their first NBA championship in 53 years.

Through the first four games, the NBA Finals are averaging 19.6 million viewers, also the highest since the Bulls-Utah Jazz faced off on NBC in 1998. The series is on track to become the most-watched since the NBA Finals moved to ABC and ESPN in 2002.

“The match-up is ideal from a media business standpoint, featuring the nation’s largest media market with New York, teams with robust followings and multiple all-stars, especially Wemby, the compelling new face of the NBA,” said Lee Berke, president of LHB Sports Entertainment & Media, Inc.

The Knicks-Spurs series is up 116% over the first four games of last year’s match-up between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. But the most encouraging numbers for ABC and ESPN is the growth among younger viewers, who have become harder to reach in the age of social media and streaming. Ratings among teens aged 12 to 17 are up 138% while the 18 to 24 age group is up 147%.

Read more:2026 Super Bowl scores 124.9 million viewers, second-largest audience in history

ABC is also seeing spikes in viewing among women, up 121%, and the Latino audience due to its large populations in the markets of New York and San Antonio, according to Flora Kelly, ESPN’s senior vice president for audience research.

Viewing in the New York market alone is accounting for 15% of the national audience. The average price for a 30-second commercial on the telecasts topped $1 million each, according to people familiar with the figures who were not authorized to comment publicly. Some spots have gone for as much as $2.3 million.

Alana Haim, left, sister Este Haim, Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay cheering at Madison Square Garden
Alana Haim, left, Este Haim, Taylor Swift and Mariska Hargitay cheer during Game 4 at New York's Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. (Al Bello / Getty Images)

In addition to delivering highly competitive games, the NBA Finals also had President Trump and pop superstar Taylor Swift in attendance at Madison Square Garden. Both are capable of turning a live TV event into a full-blown spectacle.

“What we’re seeing is that this Spurs-Knicks series is a tremendous cultural moment,” Kelly said.

Trump attended Game 3, making him the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals. While Trump was a fixture at Knicks games before he entered the national political scene, some commentators, such as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, believed the president’s insistence on attending Monday’s contest became a distraction that disrupted the home team’s momentum. (The Knicks lost the game 115-111, ending the team’s streak of 13 consecutive wins.)

Swift showed up for Game 4, joining “Law & Order: SVU” star Mariska Hargitay and the other celebrities who regularly show up courtside at Madison Square Garden.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Lakers fans want LeBron James back

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 26: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers throws powder in the air before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 26, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 113-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Los Angeles bringing back LeBron James is more complicated this offseason than at any other time during his Lakers tenure. Given that he is an unrestricted free agent, he can go wherever he wants and the Lakers can’t just pay James what he is actually worth.

The franchise has to pay Austin Reaves, who is also an unrestricted free agent. Considering he reportedly wants over $40 milllion and other teams are reportedly interested in signing him, LA might have to pay a hefty price to secure their backcourt star.

So, the Lakers have to figure out how to do that and still pay LeBron to keep their three stars together. That’s going to be a challenge for this front office, but perhaps the first question they have to ask is if they should even bring James back to begin with?

He is still a top player in the NBA, but his decline has begun. LeBron averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2
assists per game. That was the lowest points average for LeBron since his 2003-04 rookie campaign.

Father Time might not be winning, but the clock is now on its side.

This is part of the reason LeBron became the third option for the Lakers this season. LeBron taking such a role is something he has never had to do, and it certainly was never the best course of action for a team he was on before.

But with Luka as No. 1 option and Reaves as another ball-dominant player, this was the way to optimize LA.

So, for our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked Lakers fans if they want LeBron back next season and the results indicated they do.

It was a close poll, but in the end, LeBron is still wanted because he remains an elite player. We saw that in the first round, when he dominated the Rockets without Luka Dončić and with Austin Reaves missing most of the games.

He is still an All-Star player and a fantastic starter. Walking away from LeBron wouldn’t make the Lakers better. In fact, they’d have to bring in a couple of players to try to match LeBron’s production. And even if they do that, those players are likely to cost more than LeBron’s deal will end up being and it’s unlikely they’ll be as good.

So, the best course of action for LA to win now still includes LeBron. The question is: can they figure out a dollar amount that satisfies everyone?

It’s in the Lakers’ best interest to do so.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.



CSR Weekend Warriors: 6/12-6/14

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Spurs’ Luke Kornet (illness) listed as questionable for Game 5 against Knicks

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Luke Kornet #7 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Spurs could be without their backup center for a must-win Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Knicks. Luke Kornet has been listed as questionable in the injury report due to illness.

Kornet has not had a good playoffs and has only averaged a shade under eight minutes per game in the Finals. He’s only scored three total points in the series and pulled down nine total rebounds. San Antonio has been outscored by a total of 19 points when he’s been on the floor. It’s a horrible matchup for Kornet, who is not quick enough to guard Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter or switch effectively and struggles on the defensive boards against Mitchell Robinson. On paper, his potential absence shouldn’t have a big effect on the Spurs’ chances of forcing a Game 6.

The problem is, the Silver and Black don’t really have other viable big men to spare Victor Wembanyama, who is already averaging 40 minutes a game and at times has looked fatigued. While Kornet has not been effective, Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo, and Mason Plumlee still probably represent a downgrade. Mitch Johnson will likely go small instead if his backup big man misses the game, with Carter Bryant potentially getting minutes at center, as he has in the past. Bryant has not been good in his limited playing time, but he could be the best alternative.

The Spurs are down 3-1 in the Finals and are facing elimination. Game 5 will tip off at 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, June 13.

Victor Wembanyama on potential 3-1 NBA Finals comeback against Knicks: 'Everybody knows we're going to do it'

Victor Wembanyama didn't go full Joe Namath poolside in Miami before Super Bowl III, but the big man came close.

When asked about the mood around the Spurs ahead of Saturday night's Game 5, facing a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals to the Knicks, the Frenchman said the team "absolutely" believes they can spring a most unlikely comeback.

"Everybody thinks, everybody knows, we're going to do it," Wembanyama said Friday.

"I feel like we need to isolate that one game and take it one game at a time," he continued. "I think it would be a mistake to waste our energy on multiple games. It's one game at a time."

Guard Devin Vassell echoed the "one game at a time" mantra. 

"Nothing is guaranteed. Nothing is promised. But we know we've at least got one game," Vassell said. "So we need to go 1-0, and whatever we need to do for that to happen, we've got to do that."

He added: "We've got our backs against the wall. Let's just focus on trying to go 1-0... and then from there we'll just try to walk it down."

The comments come after the Spurs saw a 29-point third-quarter lead – that was still at 20 points with under 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter – slip away in a tremendous collapse in Game 4 at MSG.

Wembanyama said there were "a thousand ways we could have not lost that game," but the team has shifted its focus to Saturday night.

"It felt like there was a time to process this, to really dwell on it. But not anymore," he said.

The Game 4 loss wasn't the only one the Spurs and Wembanyama let slip through their fingers. The Spurs let a 14-point third-quarter lead slip in Game 1 and Wembanyama had a terrible late turnover and missed two shot attempts in a one-point loss in Game 2.

"We're very confident, but yeah, I wouldn't say it was so hard to, like, shake off, right?" Wembanyama said about Game 4. "Harder than any other game before, by far, for sure. I mean, now we're over it. It's the playoffs. There's no time to regret things for too long."

Vassell added the Spurs feel they've played the Knicks "really good for the past four games."

"We just really haven't been able to close out games," the guard said. "Obviously, a credit to them. But we feel like we have been able to control a lot of this series, and we've just got to figure out how to finish these games."

Victor Wembanyama is the victim of ‘dirtiest s–t ever’: Isiah Thomas

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Victor Wembanyama in a black and white Spurs jersey with number 1, Image 2 shows A man in a light blue button-down shirt and glasses
Isiah Thomas on Wembanyama

Knick fans may think Victor Wembanyama is public enemy No. 1 currently, but a former Knicks head coach sure doesn’t think that way.

Isiah Thomas, who coached the Knicks from 2006-08 and also served in the front office, defended Wembanyama Friday morning on the “Run it Back” Show, saying he’s been the victim of physical abuse all NBA Finals long and pushed back on the idea the Spurs star is “dirty.”

“Wemby has been the victim of some of the dirtiest s–t ever. I mean, people are grabbing and holding him,” Thomas said.

“With Wemby, we’re allowing people to grab and hold him, knock him down. They literally have him locked up. With his demeanor, they’re lucky he hasn’t turned around and popped one of them in the face real quick,” Thomas added. “Big men, normally you don’t get to be this aggressive with them without them having the ability to retaliate, hold their temper and all of that.”

Thomas compared the situation to “hack-a-Shaq,” where teams would purposely hit and foul Shaquille O’Neal to send the poor free-throw shooter to the line.

“Shaq took more abuse in our league than probably any NBA player that’s ever played,” Thomas said.

In regards to Wembanyama, Thomas may be in the minority.

Knicks fans were fuming after Wembanyama shoved Jalen Brunson to the ground early in Game 3 and wasn’t called for a flagrant foul.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Even though the NBA reviewed the play Tuesday, they did not penalize him.

In the third quarter of Game 4, Wembanyama was called for a flagrant foul after elbowing Karl-Anthony Towns in the face.

The flagrant now means Wembanyama is at three flagrant points this postseason after getting two for elbowing Naz Reid in the second round.

One more flagrant would lead to an automatic suspension.

Wembanyama and the Spurs are on the brink of elimination after blowing a 29-point lead in Game 4, and trail the Knicks 3-1 as the series shifts back to San Antonio for Saturday’s Game 5.