Spurs' Mitch Johnson Makes NBA Finals Admission: "Didn't Deserve to Win"
The New York Knicks may have entered the NBA Finals riding an 11-game winning streak, but no one doubted Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. However, from Game 1 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, the Knicks looked like the better team and eventually wrapped up the series four games later at the same venue.
The Spurs had their moments throughout the series, but repeatedly failed to close out games in crucial situations. Game 4 provided the clearest example of the gap between the two teams, as San Antonio somehow found a way to lose despite holding a 27-point halftime lead.
Wembanyama and Co. got off to a flying start in Game 5 as well, but just when it mattered most, the Knicks stepped up in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Spurs 29-18 in the final period to secure a 94-90 victory and claim their first NBA championship since 1973.
Following the game, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson was blunt in his assessment as his team blew double-digit leads in all four losses of the series.
"There's a lot that goes into it, but the simple consistencies, we didn't deserve to win the games," Johnson said. "There's a lot of level of execution. There can be rebounding. There can be end-of-game details. There can be starting the game where you get the lead and then you don't sustain that.
"But NBA games are long. It happens during the regular season too. It's just that everything is much more on stage during the Finals when everybody is watching, and we weren't ready to win an NBA championship. The better team won. We did a lot of good things, but we didn't finish the job, and that's what it is."
As Johnson pointed out, the Spurs were impressive for much of the series, but they struggled to finish games. After surrendering the largest lead in NBA Finals history in Game 4, they appeared not to have learned their lesson and once again wilted under pressure, blowing a 16-point lead on Saturday night as Jalen Brunson carried his side to glory with a commanding 45-point performance.
San Antonio started every game with unmatched intensity but could not sustain it through the final buzzer. Whether that was due to a lack of experience or something else, the team clearly was not ready for the biggest moment. However, that should not overshadow what an outstanding season the young roster had.
"We've been blood, sweat, and tears for nine months basically, it's over. There'll be plenty of time for reflection but on the surface level I don't think anyone other than the people in that room expected us to be here," Johnson added.
The Spurs finished the regular season with the NBA's second-best record at 62-20, behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. They then embarked on a grueling playoff run that included a 4-1 series win over the Portland Trail Blazers, a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and a hard-fought 4-3 triumph over the defending champion Thunder.
It was San Antonio's first NBA Finals appearance since 2014, and with Wembanyama leading the roster alongside rising talents in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, the franchise has a bright future ahead and should remain a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
Related: Victor Wembanyama Agrees With Spurs Teammate After Facing Knicks Fans
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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 5:45 AM.