San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson didn’t need a whiteboard or a film session to identify the problem after his team fell to the New York Knicks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. When a reporter asked Johnson what he regretted most about defending Jalen Brunson in the series-ending 94-90 loss, his answer was as direct as a kick in the shins.
“Make him score less points,” Johnson said flatly during his postgame press conference, per SNY Knicks. The response drew laughs from reporters, but it cut to the heart of a painful truth: Brunson torched the Spurs for 45 points on Saturday, clinching New York’s first championship in 53 years and earning himself Finals MVP honors.
Brunson shot 14-for-27 from the floor, knocked down four of seven three-point attempts, and went 13-for-15 from the free-throw line. He added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals, playing all 40 minutes and refusing to let the moment overwhelm him. For a Knicks franchise that hadn’t hoisted a Larry O’Brien Trophy since 1973, Brunson’s performance was a coronation.
Wembanyama’s Growth Offers Silver Lining
While the loss stung, Johnson found a reason to be optimistic about the future. Asked about Victor Wembanyama’s leadership development during the 2026-27 season, the Spurs coach didn’t sugarcoat his admiration.
“I think it’s grown tremendously,” Johnson said. “I think he’s stepped into every moment with the appropriate amount of fearlessness and also respect for the moment and being exactly who he is. And he’s bringing his teammates and everybody else along with him. It’s been pretty fun to observe and be a part of.”
Wembanyama finished Game 5 with 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting, including one three-pointer and 4-for-5 from the stripe. He also grabbed 14 rebounds, swatted five shots, and dished two assists. The 22-year-old French phenom was a defensive menace all series, but Brunson’s scoring barrage proved too much for the Spurs to overcome.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The Knicks now enter an offseason with championship pedigree and a core that includes Brunson, Julius Randle, and a deep supporting cast. For the Spurs, the blueprint is clear: build around Wembanyama, keep developing young talent, and hope the next time they face a superstar guard in the Finals, they have a better answer than Johnson’s grimly honest one.
Until then, San Antonio will have to live with the regret of letting Brunson do what he does best — and the coach’s wry acknowledgment that stopping him was always the only real plan.
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