The 22-year-old Wembanyama acknowledged that going up against the 31-year-old Jokic is always valuable, noting that he constantly learns from those challenges. “You always learn when you play against Jokic. You always catch some stuff and smarter moves on the court in those duels with him,” said the Defensive Player of the Year, as quoted in a report from BasketNews.

Serbia drew first blood with a 90-87 victory in Belgrade on Thursday. Jokic was masterful with a near triple-double of 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Wembanyama posted 10 points, four rebounds, and six turnovers.

France claims revenge

On Sunday, Les Bleus exacted revenge with a 91-90 win in Orleans, courtesy of a game-winner by Jaylen Hoard. Wembanyama recorded 18 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Jokic remained dominant, tallying 34 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.

The clash showcased a great duel, though Jokic’s experience still showed as he commanded the floor at 100%, while a hungry Wembanyama continues to commit mistakes he can refine over time.

Last season, Wembanyama led San Antonio to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, while Jokic and Denver were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Western Conference rivalry

San Antonio and Denver remain among the top contenders in the Western Conference, with Wembanyama and Jokic at the forefront of their respective teams. The two centers will not meet in the NBA until March at Frost Bank Center.

In the meantime, Wembanyama will try to carry France in his first return to the national team since the 2024 Paris Olympics. “Our plan is simple. We are going to Paris in a day or two, continue with our preparations, and then we play the qualifier games,” said the two-time All-Star.

In a recent chat with the media, the young guard offered a rare glimpse into his mindset while answering rapid-fire questions about the game. Asked about a potential nickname for the new backcourt, Edwards selected a reference from the iconic Pixar movie The Incredibles.

“It would never be Ant-Man and Wasp,” said Edwards. “He’s too good for that. It would be more like… what’s that dude’s name from The Incredibles? Mr. Incredible, that’s Melo. And I’m Frozone.”

Edwards aims to overcome Wembanyama

With Ball on board, the squad shapes up as a championship contender, but faces tough competition in the Western Conference—most notably the reigning conference champions, the San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama.

Edwards discussed Wembanyama and explained why their matchups bring out his best, noting that Wembanyama’s height presents a serious challenge. “As of right now, probably Wemby,” Edwards added. “I mean, he’s 7’5”, so I just gotta find ways to get around him. You know, I got to try and outthink him because he’s so much taller than me.”

Edwards did not select Wembanyama at random. The two clashed during the 2026 Western Conference Semifinals, where Wembanyama and the Spurs dominated the series, eliminating Minnesota in six games. The defeat marked the biggest challenge Edwards has faced so far, driving his determination to set things right in the 2026-27 NBA season.

The Edwards-Ball backcourt dynamic

While many fans favored the nickname “Ant-Man and Wasp,” Edwards believed it did not do justice to Ball‘s superstar status given his career averages of 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game on 40.7% shooting from the field.

For Edwards, Ball stands as an equal star, making two full-fledged heroes like Mr. Incredible and Frozone the ideal match. Edwards even dressed as Mr. Incredible for Halloween, making the comparison even more fitting.

Wembanyama has heeded the call of duty anew, agreeing to play for France in the latest window of the FIBA World Cup European Qualifiers. In a report from BasketNews, the 22-year-old center admitted that representing France will always be more significant than playing in the NBA.

“It means more because you wear it for much shorter periods of time. The intensity of the Olympic Games, for example, is something that happens over a matter of weeks, so everything is decided in the moment,” Wembanyama said. “There are very few games in an international career. Every one of them really matters.”

When will Wemby play for France?

France will face Slovenia on August 28 and Sweden on August 30. France lead Group L with a 5-1 record. Wembanyama last suited up for his home country at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they lost to Team USA in the gold medal game.

While the two-time All-Star is busy preparing for his fourth season with the San Antonio Spurs, he did not want to turn down the chance to play for the national team. That desire to wear the jersey for France once again is also driven by a thirst for redemption following what happened at the Olympic Games.

Wembanyama could have used the entire offseason to avoid basketball and fully rest after coming off a grueling campaign that saw the Spurs reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. However, he chose not to, as playing for the national team is always paramount for him, similar to his fellow stars from Europe.

A new coach for Wemby

There will be adjustments for Wembanyama, as France are now handled by head coach Frederic Fauthoux. Still, the center noted that it should not pose a problem.

“I wouldn’t go as far as calling it crucial, but it’s a very important window for me, and for many others, to get to know the coaching staff and new teammates and to lay the foundations,” added the Defensive Player of the Year.

In addition to Wembanyama, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud, and former NBA players Evan Fournier and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot will also suit up.

In an interview with HoopsHype, the former player detailed a harrowing episode he experienced last January when he suffered another pulmonary embolism. “I had an episode in January. I pretty much almost died and came back to life. No joke. I had another pulmonary embolism. It was in January. I was hospitalized for a week. But you have to take the medication. So I take my meds daily, take care of myself every day and monitor the situation. And well, I didn’t present symptoms either, you know?” Bosh said.

The former NBA champion with the Heat explained that his priority now is maintaining control of the situation and following all medical guidelines to avoid future complications. The experience forced him to adjust his habits and remain far more vigilant about his daily health before offering a warning to Wemby.

Bosh’s warning to Wembanyama

During the interview, the former big man also addressed Victor Wembanyama, who suffered a blood clot-related issue last season. “He needs to take his medication and make sure he follows his treatment to prevent it from happening again, because it only takes one more time. It happened to me again, it happened twice, and I couldn’t play anymore,” Bosh said.

Additionally, Bosh emphasized the importance of managing every detail off the floor. “In his case, he just needs to make sure he does everything necessary to keep his blood as fluid as possible and take care of his body off the court,” the former Heat player added.

Bosh’s comments shed light once again on a difficult chapter in his post-playing career. Beyond his achievements in the NBA, the former star continues to manage a health condition that altered his daily life, positioning him to offer advice to current players like Wembanyama.

What happened to Wembanyama

The French center was sidelined in February 2025 after the franchise announced he was suffering from deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot located in his right shoulder.

Wembanyama played in just 46 games during the 2024-25 NBA season before the Spurs confirmed the diagnosis. Such conditions are typically treated with blood thinners—a complex scenario for contact sports athletes like basketball players due to the elevated risks associated with physical impacts.

Despite the setback, the Frenchman received medical clearance in July 2025 and returned to the court. Last season, he played in 64 games, including the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, where the Spurs competed in a five-game series.

Just like Wembanyama, James suffered a painful defeat in the 2007 NBA Finals while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. His team was swept 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs, the very same franchise that looks much better today with the talented, towering Frenchman on the roster.

On the other hand, Stephen Curry also enters the conversation when comparing what Wembanyama accomplished in his first Finals appearance. But the Golden State Warriors guard fared much better, winning his first big trophy in 2015 with the team he has played for since 2009.

A great learning experience for Wembanyama and the Spurs

What Wembanyama accomplished in just his third NBA season, helping the Spurs put together a deep playoff run and knocking out the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder along the way, was incredibly impressive. It’s a valuable learning experience he can use down the road to get his revenge against the Knicks.

That’s pretty much exactly what James did after losing his first Finals back in 2007. It wasn’t until 2013 that he finally got his revenge against the Spurs, winning a thrilling 4-3 series against San Antonio as a member of the Miami Heat.

Wembanyama can also look at how well Curry has fared with the Warriors, having lost just two Finals in his career. One of those losses came during his second trip to the championship stage, falling to none other than James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The result marked the largest comeback ever recorded in an NBA Finals game and gave New York a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. The loss leaves San Antonio needing three consecutive victories to capture the championship. While Game 5 will be played in San Antonio on Saturday, the Knicks have already guaranteed that, at minimum, the series will return to Madison Square Garden for a potential Game 6.

Following the heartbreaking defeat, Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama addressed the team’s mindset moving forward. “What’s going through my mind right now? I think it’s going to go one of two ways. A bad one and a good one. The bad one would be giving up. The good one would be getting stronger through this, getting more together. I know this is what we’re going to do.”

What did Victor Wembanyama say after the Spurs’ Game 4 loss?

Victor Wembanyama’s comments reflected a player determined not to let one painful defeat define the series. However, the young star was also honest when discussing how the Spurs allowed such a massive lead to disappear.

When asked about the collapse in the second half, Wemby did not hide his frustration. “I think it began before that. I can’t really explain it right now. I think it’s just execution, greediness. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”

Whether the Spurs can recover from one of the most painful losses in franchise history will be determined in Game 5, with their championship hopes hanging by a thread.

Barkley was brutally honest about how the pressure of the Finals has impacted Wembanyama over the first two games. “Wemby’s in shock right now. It’s probably been a long time since he got his a– kicked like this… Wemby’s spinning… He’s 22,” Barkley noted, though he made sure to clarify that the French phenom will undoubtedly dominate the NBA in the near future.

Right now, however, Wembanyama is dealing with an elite performance from Karl-Anthony Towns, who is making it clear to the Spurs just how hungry he is for his first championship ring. As Barkley put it, “But right now, big KAT is just taking his a– to the woodshed. Plain and simple.”

Magic Johnson echoes Barkley’s analysis

Another legendary voice chimed in after the Spurs dropped to 0-2. Magic Johnson took to social media to offer a very similar take on Towns’ impact, writing, “Karl-Anthony Towns was impressive on both ends of the floor, dominating the first half and making nothing easy for Wembanyama defensively.”

Johnson’s postgame breakdown went on to praise the Knicks‘ collective grit, highlighting their execution down the stretch to pull off a thrilling, single-point victory. The defining moment of that chaotic finish came down to a late turnover by Wembanyama, which ultimately iced the game for New York.

Wembanyama didn’t shy away from his mistake during his postgame press conference. “I threw that one away. I messed up… We needed to win that game. This game was ours. But at this point, it’s done. Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel us next game? Absolutely,” he declared.

During Game 2’s postgame press conference, Wembanyama detailed that the team needs to be better, especially late in the game. He also looked in the mirror and critiqued himself.

“I think we need to put ourselves in better conditions. We’re digging ourselves a hole. That’s been the theme so far,” Wembanyama said, specifically talking about the three last possessions of Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He then added, “I need to have more poise, more control over the game.”

Wembanyama made key mistake to give Knicks the lead late in the fourth quarter

With less than 15 seconds to play, Wembanyama grabbed a rebound after a missed Jalen Brunson shot. However, he then passed the ball to Stephon Castle, who wasn’t even looking. The pass hit Castle’s back, Brunson recovered it, and then Wembanyama himself fouled Brunson gifting him free throws, which ended up being the difference on the final scoreboard.

Then, Wemby had the chance to win it all, but his shot hit the rim and went out. It was just an unfortunate string of plays at the worst-possible moment for the Spurs star. Now, the Spurs are in deep waters.

Wembanyama’s performance vs Knicks was still stellar

While the last stretch of the game wasn’t his best level of play, the fact is Wembanyama was the reason the Spurs were still in the game at that point of the matchup. Wembanyama had 29 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and four blocks in Game 2 against the Knicks.

The victory was particularly impressive considering New York trailed by 14 points during the third quarter before completely taking control of the game. With the win, the Knicks accomplished one of their primary goals entering the series: stealing home-court advantage. They have now won 12 consecutive playoff games.

Despite the disappointing result, Victor Wembanyama did not appear concerned afterward. The young star expressed confidence that San Antonio can recover from the setback despite falling behind in the series. “We’ve been down in a series before. Never in the Finals obviously. I mean, I’m not worried the slightest.”

Victor Wembanyama takes tesponsibility for his performance vs Knicks

One of the biggest storylines from Game 1 was the way the Knicks defended Victor Wembanyama, particularly with Karl-Anthony Towns playing a major role in limiting his impact.

New York consistently made life difficult for the Spurs star and prevented him from controlling the game the way he has throughout much of the postseason. However, Wembanyama was not interested in crediting the defensive scheme alone for his struggles.

Instead, he openly admitted that he simply did not play well enough and expects to make the necessary adjustments before Game 2. “Every team guards differently. I’m going to figure it out. I was bad tonight. It’s not more complicated than that.”

They reached the NBA Finals seven times between 1999 and 2026, winning five championships under legendary head coach Gregg Popovich and with stars such as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard.

Now, with Victor Wembanyama leading a new generation, the Spurs have returned to the NBA Finals in pursuit of another championship. In 2026, guided by head coach Mitch Johnson, they faced the New York Knicks.

How many NBA Finals have the San Antonio Spurs played in?

The San Antonio Spurs have played in six NBA Finals throughout their history. The franchise established itself as one of the league’s most consistent contenders, reaching the championship stage across multiple eras of dominance under head coaches Gregg Popovich and Larry Brown.

Their Finals appearances spanned more than 15 years of sustained success. During this period, the Spurs became a model franchise built on continuity, elite defense, and a core of stars that evolved across generations.

The new generation of the iconic team, led by French center Victor Wembanyama, will return to the biggest stage, as they have reached their seventh NBA Finals in 2026. On June 3, they will face the NY Knicks in Game 1.

When did the Spurs win their first NBA Championship?

The Spurs won their first NBA Championship in 1999. Led by Tim Duncan and David Robinson, San Antonio defeated the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, marking the beginning of a new era for the franchise and the first title.

That 1999 championship was especially significant because it came during a lockout-shortened season, and it immediately established them as a rising power in the league. From that moment on, San Antonio became a perennial Finals contender throughout the 2000s and early 2010s.

What years did the Spurs reach the NBA Finals?

The San Antonio Spurs reached the NBA Finals in seven different seasons, spanning more than a decade of dominance in the league. Their appearances reflect two distinct championship eras built under Gregg Popovich.

Spurs NBA Finals appearances

• 1999 – vs. New York Knicks
• 2003 – vs. New Jersey Nets
• 2005 – vs. Detroit Pistons
• 2007 – vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
• 2013 – vs. Miami Heat
• 2014 – vs. Miami Heat
• 2026 – vs. New York Knicks

How many championships have the Spurs won?

The San Antonio Spurs have won five NBA championships. Those titles came in:

• 1999
• 2003
• 2005
• 2007
• 2014

All five championships were won under the leadership of Gregg Popovich, making the Spurs one of the most successful franchises of the modern NBA era. The titles were spread across three different decades.

What is the Spurs’ win-loss record in NBA Finals series?

The San Antonio Spurs have a 5–1 record in NBA Finals series. The franchise has only lost once in its entire championship history, making it one of the most efficient winners in NBA Finals play among all NBA dynasties.

San Antonio’s lone defeat came in 2013 against the Miami Heat in a seven-game series that featured LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Every other Finals appearance resulted in a championship.

Across six Finals appearances, they built a dominant postseason identity driven by elite defense, ball movement, and roster continuity. Their 5–1 Finals record places them among the most successful modern-era franchises.

Which players led the Spurs’ NBA Finals success?

The San Antonio Spurs’ NBA Finals success was led by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, David Robinson and Kawhi Leonard across different championship eras. These five players formed the backbone of a dynasty.

Tony Parker provided speed and scoring from the point guard position, earning Finals MVP in 2007 after dominating the Cleveland Cavaliers. Manu Ginobili added creativity, clutch scoring, and energy off the bench.

Kawhi Leonard represented the transition into a new era, emerging as a two-way star in 2014 and winning Finals MVP against the Miami Heat. His performance symbolized the Spurs’ ability to evolve while remaining championship contenders.

• Tim Duncan: centerpiece of all five titles and three-time Finals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005)
• David Robinson: key veteran leader in the 1999 championship run
• Tony Parker: Finals MVP in 2007 after dominating the Cleveland Cavaliers
• Manu Ginobili: crucial sixth-man impact, especially in clutch playoff moments
• Kawhi Leonard: Finals MVP in 2014 after leading the Spurs past the Miami Heat

How did Tim Duncan shape the Spurs’ championship era?

Tim Duncan shaped the San Antonio Spurs’ championship era by becoming the franchise’s foundation, leader and most consistent force across all five NBA titles.

Drafted first overall in 1997, he immediately transformed the Spurs into a title contender, forming the legendary “Twin Towers” duo with David Robinson that delivered the 1999 NBA championship. His impact went beyond scoring.

His elite defense, rebounding and decision-making allowed the Spurs to build a system around ball movement, discipline and efficiency. This style became the foundation of Gregg Popovich’s championship blueprint.

What role did Gregg Popovich play in the Spurs’ Finals success?

Gregg Popovich played the role of architect, head coach and long-term system builder behind all five San Antonio Spurs NBA championships. He is one of only a few coaches in NBA history with five championships.

His biggest impact was establishing a team-first philosophy built on discipline, ball movement and defensive structure, which became the identity of the Spurs during their dynasty years. This system allowed them to remain competitive.

He also played a crucial role in player development and adaptation, maximizing the potential of undervalued talent such as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, while helping Tim Duncan evolve into one of the greatest forwards.

Beyond tactics, he built a culture of accountability and collective success, where individual accolades were secondary to team performance. This approach created one of the most stable dynasties in modern sports.

The exchange was shared by SNY on X, where Brown joked: “You just hope a guy like that, you can find ways to make him work.” The Knicks coach made it clear there is no simple formula for slowing down a player who can impact a game on both ends of the floor.

Brown then took the joke a step further, saying, “You pray. I had some buddies that are monks, I can’t go to them because he’s got that part of the religion all wrapped up.” The comment drew laughs, but it also reflected the respect Wembanyama has earned during a playoff run that has turned him into one of the biggest stories in the league.

Wembanyama presents a unique challenge

Containing Wembanyama will require much more than focusing on one area of his game. The Knicks must deal with his scoring, rebounding, rim protection, and playmaking. Players such as Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby could be asked to stretch the floor offensively while also helping limit his impact defensively.

The Oklahoma City Thunder found some success at times by crowding Wembanyama with multiple defenders and forcing the ball out of his hands. Even then, the Spurs star still found ways to influence games through defense and timely scoring. Stopping him completely proved nearly impossible throughout the Western Conference playoffs.

As Magic Johnson recently noted, “Victor Wembanyama dominated the paint on defense during the Series against OKC while playing in a zone, but that won’t work against the Knicks given the 3-point shooting ability of Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby.” That could force San Antonio to adjust its defensive approach.