The San Antonio Spurs had the NBA trophy within reach. Twice, actually. And twice, they watched it slip away.
In Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Saturday, the Spurs squandered a double-digit lead against the New York Knicks, falling 94-90 at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson and company finished the job, clinching the championship and leaving San Antonio to process a collapse that will sting well into the offseason.
For interim head coach Mitch Johnson, the loss wasn’t just about X’s and O’s. It was personal — and he wanted his players to sit in that discomfort.
Johnson’s Message to His Team
“I want them to feel all the emotions. I feel that too,” Johnson told reporters after the game, as shared by Tom Petrini of San Antonio Spurs On SI. “So, whatever they feel, that’s real. That’s competitiveness. That’s what makes you better. That’s what pushes you to continue to improve in the dark, long hours when nobody’s around.”
Johnson then highlighted how far the Spurs had come — a young roster that overachieved to reach the Finals at all. “We improved a whole lot this year, and we still have a lot now, more motivation to continue to get better.”
A Series That Slipped Away Early
The Spurs entered the series as clear underdogs, but no one expected the home-court meltdown that followed. San Antonio lost the first two games at Frost Bank Center — the kind of start that forces a team to climb a nearly vertical hill.
To their credit, the Spurs punched back in Game 3 with a gritty win in New York. But that victory turned out to be their lone highlight. The Knicks reclaimed control in Game 4, setting the stage for another San Antonio collapse in the decisive Game 5.
Fans and analysts alike quickly zeroed in on Johnson’s in-game decisions during those final quarters. The Spurs went cold offensively, struggled to contain Brunson in pick-and-roll situations, and failed to adjust as the Knicks erased the lead. While Johnson has earned respect for guiding a relatively inexperienced roster to the Finals, the narrative of blown advantages in back-to-back elimination games is hard to ignore.
What Comes Next for San Antonio
The Spurs now head into an offseason with more questions than answers. Johnson’s future as head coach — interim or permanent — remains unclear, though the front office has not publicly addressed the matter. The roster, built around a developing core, has proven it can compete at the highest level. But closing games, and series, is a different beast entirely.
For now, the pain is fresh. Johnson’s challenge is to turn that hurt into fuel before it becomes a lingering scar.
Leave a Comment