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Fernando Mendoza references Tom Brady when asked about draft position

Fernando Mendoza references Tom Brady when asked about draft position

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By every measure, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to be the first player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, when the Las Vegas Raiders are officially on the clock.

But meeting with the media Friday in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine, Mendoza offered perhaps the perfect answer regarding his draft position.

Mendoza’s dream season, which included guiding the Hoosiers to their first national title in school history while securing the Heisman Trophy along the way, has put him at the top of the quarterback board leading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Given that this year’s crop of collegiate passers is not as deep as in year’s past, that has only helped solidify Mendoza’s stock as QB1. And with the Raiders among many teams at the top of the board that need a quarterback, he should not have to wait long to hear his name called.

However, he would be happy to hear it called at all, even if it comes at pick No. 199.

Friday in Indianapolis the quarterback said he would grateful to be selected, “whether it’s the No. 1 pick or whether it’s, you know, the 199th pick.”

Of course, that reference to the “199th pick” comes for a reason. After all, that is where Tom Brady came off board during the 2000 NFL Draft.

You know, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and a minority owner of the Raiders.

Mendoza conceded that he has already met with the Raiders — during which Brady called in to offer a “brief hi” to the Indiana quarterback — and said it was a “fantastic” meeting.

“I was lucky enough to interview with the Las Vegas Raiders,” Mendoza said Friday morning at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. “It was a fantastic interview. Coaching staff was in there. We went over some of my previous plays and did plays on the board. I thought it was a great meeting.

“I know they have the No. 1 pick, but anything can happen in the draft. Excited for the opportunity and whatever team drafts me, I am going to give everything I got to them.”

And while Mendoza is fine wherever he lands, even if it is not with the Raiders, he admitted that the chance to be mentored by Brady would be ideal.

“Yeah, I mean, who hasn’t admired Tom Brady? I mean, more Super Bowl rings than anybody … anybody!” Mendoza said. “So, that opportunity would be fantastic. Tom Brady, I believe, is the greatest quarterback of all time — by a wide margin — and to be able to have the opportunity to be mentored by him, would … mean so much.

“Especially to learn, and I’m all about learning. So from Day 1, you know, I’ve got to learn a lot. It’s gonna be a long journey, and to potentially have a mentor like that, it would be pretty impressive and pretty meaningful.”

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Deadspin | KOI, Surge post Round 1 sweeps at CDL Stage 4 Minor A backlit keyboard is part of the gear online video game streamer Jordan Woodruff uses in his Gilbert home. Jordan Woodruff The Vancouver Surge and Toronto KOI opened with sweeps, while the Riyadh Falcons and G2 Minnesota also prevailed in Round 1 of the Call of Duty League’s Stage 4 Minor on Friday to reach the quarterfinals. All 12 CDL teams are competing in the tournament, which will reward ,000 and 30 CDL points to the champion. The single-elimination bracket is seeded based on teams’ standing following the Stage 3 Major. All matches are best-of-five until the final on Sunday, which will be best-of-seven. Facing Cloud9 New York, Toronto rolled to victory with wins on Sake Hardpoint (250-176), Raid Search and Destroy (6-3) and Den Overload (4-3). Vancouver followed suit against the Miami Heretics, posting victories on Gridlock Hardpoint (250-234), Raid Search and Destroy (6-3) and Scar Overload (4-3). The Falcons had to work much harder against Carolina despite opening with a 250-174 victory on Hacienda Hardpoint. The Royal Ravens evened the match on Raid Search and Destroy (6-3) before the Falcons regained the lead on Gridlock Overload (4-3). Carolina again pulled even with a win on Sake Hardpoint (250-176) before Riyadh finally clinched the victory on Gridlock Search and Destroy (6-1). Facing the Boston Breach, G2 Minnesota opened with a 250-180 loss on Hacienda Hardpoint, then reeled off three consecutive victories to advance to the quarterfinals — 6-5 on Hacienda Search and Destroy, 4-1 on Gridlock Overload and 250-193 on Gridlock Hardpoint. The Saturday schedule (quarterfinals): –OpTic Texas vs. Riyadh Falcons –Paris Gentle Mates vs. Toronto KOI –FaZe Vegas vs. Vancouver Surge –Los Angeles Thieves vs. G2 Minnesota Call of Duty League’s Stage 4 Minor prize pool 1. ,000, 30 CDL points 2. No money, 20 CDL points 3-4. No money, 10 CDL points 5-8. No money, no CDL points 9-12. No money, no CDL points — Carolina Royal Ravens, Cloud9 New York, Miami Heretics, Boston Breach –Field Level Media #Deadspin #KOI #Surge #post #sweeps #CDL #Stage #MinorA backlit keyboard is part of the gear online video game streamer Jordan Woodruff uses in his Gilbert home. Jordan Woodruff

The Vancouver Surge and Toronto KOI opened with sweeps, while the Riyadh Falcons and G2 Minnesota also prevailed in Round 1 of the Call of Duty League’s Stage 4 Minor on Friday to reach the quarterfinals.

All 12 CDL teams are competing in the tournament, which will reward $20,000 and 30 CDL points to the champion. The single-elimination bracket is seeded based on teams’ standing following the Stage 3 Major. All matches are best-of-five until the final on Sunday, which will be best-of-seven.

Facing Cloud9 New York, Toronto rolled to victory with wins on Sake Hardpoint (250-176), Raid Search and Destroy (6-3) and Den Overload (4-3).

Vancouver followed suit against the Miami Heretics, posting victories on Gridlock Hardpoint (250-234), Raid Search and Destroy (6-3) and Scar Overload (4-3).

The Falcons had to work much harder against Carolina despite opening with a 250-174 victory on Hacienda Hardpoint. The Royal Ravens evened the match on Raid Search and Destroy (6-3) before the Falcons regained the lead on Gridlock Overload (4-3). Carolina again pulled even with a win on Sake Hardpoint (250-176) before Riyadh finally clinched the victory on Gridlock Search and Destroy (6-1).

Facing the Boston Breach, G2 Minnesota opened with a 250-180 loss on Hacienda Hardpoint, then reeled off three consecutive victories to advance to the quarterfinals — 6-5 on Hacienda Search and Destroy, 4-1 on Gridlock Overload and 250-193 on Gridlock Hardpoint.

The Saturday schedule (quarterfinals):

–OpTic Texas vs. Riyadh Falcons


–Paris Gentle Mates vs. Toronto KOI

–FaZe Vegas vs. Vancouver Surge

–Los Angeles Thieves vs. G2 Minnesota

Call of Duty League’s Stage 4 Minor prize pool

1. $20,000, 30 CDL points

2. No money, 20 CDL points

3-4. No money, 10 CDL points

5-8. No money, no CDL points

9-12. No money, no CDL points — Carolina Royal Ravens, Cloud9 New York, Miami Heretics, Boston Breach


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #KOI #Surge #post #sweeps #CDL #Stage #Minor">Deadspin | KOI, Surge post Round 1 sweeps at CDL Stage 4 Minor A backlit keyboard is part of the gear online video game streamer Jordan Woodruff uses in his Gilbert home. Jordan Woodruff The Vancouver Surge and Toronto KOI opened with sweeps, while the Riyadh Falcons and G2 Minnesota also prevailed in Round 1 of the Call of Duty League’s Stage 4 Minor on Friday to reach the quarterfinals. All 12 CDL teams are competing in the tournament, which will reward ,000 and 30 CDL points to the champion. The single-elimination bracket is seeded based on teams’ standing following the Stage 3 Major. All matches are best-of-five until the final on Sunday, which will be best-of-seven. Facing Cloud9 New York, Toronto rolled to victory with wins on Sake Hardpoint (250-176), Raid Search and Destroy (6-3) and Den Overload (4-3). Vancouver followed suit against the Miami Heretics, posting victories on Gridlock Hardpoint (250-234), Raid Search and Destroy (6-3) and Scar Overload (4-3). The Falcons had to work much harder against Carolina despite opening with a 250-174 victory on Hacienda Hardpoint. The Royal Ravens evened the match on Raid Search and Destroy (6-3) before the Falcons regained the lead on Gridlock Overload (4-3). Carolina again pulled even with a win on Sake Hardpoint (250-176) before Riyadh finally clinched the victory on Gridlock Search and Destroy (6-1). Facing the Boston Breach, G2 Minnesota opened with a 250-180 loss on Hacienda Hardpoint, then reeled off three consecutive victories to advance to the quarterfinals — 6-5 on Hacienda Search and Destroy, 4-1 on Gridlock Overload and 250-193 on Gridlock Hardpoint. The Saturday schedule (quarterfinals): –OpTic Texas vs. Riyadh Falcons –Paris Gentle Mates vs. Toronto KOI –FaZe Vegas vs. Vancouver Surge –Los Angeles Thieves vs. G2 Minnesota Call of Duty League’s Stage 4 Minor prize pool 1. ,000, 30 CDL points 2. No money, 20 CDL points 3-4. No money, 10 CDL points 5-8. No money, no CDL points 9-12. No money, no CDL points — Carolina Royal Ravens, Cloud9 New York, Miami Heretics, Boston Breach –Field Level Media #Deadspin #KOI #Surge #post #sweeps #CDL #Stage #Minor

The New York Knicks are headed back to Madison Square Garden with the opportunity to bring home the franchise’s first championship in 53 years without leaving the city. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-104, in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals to become the third team in league history to win the first two games of the championship round on the road, joining the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets.

The Knicks have now won 13 straight playoff games, with 11 of those victories coming by double-figures. The Spurs were a 2-1 favorite in the betting markets entering the series, but the Knicks have out-classed a young San Antonio team on both ends to take complete control in the matchup so far.

The Knicks took a 97-83 lead with six minutes remaining on a driving dunk by OG Anunoby. From there, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the game. The end of the fourth quarter featured a wild sequence where Jalen Brunson missed a mid-range jump shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet pass to teammate Stephon Castle. Only problem: Castle wasn’t looking for the ball, so it hit him in the back and resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled after the Knicks recovered the possession, and he split two free throws to give New York the lead. The Spurs had one last chance, but Wembanyama missed an attempt at the game-winning jumper at the buzzer:

For long stretches in this game, it felt like the Knicks had mastered basketball. After the Spurs ended the first quarter with a nine-point lead, New York roared back in the second quarter with what’s quickly becoming their signature blend of selfless ball-movement, skilled shooting, and tough defense. The Knicks have a true five-out offense, and the threat of their shooting is putting San Antonio’s defense in constant rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and an entire lineup that all dribble, pass, and shoot.

It all came together on this possession where all five players touched the ball before Mikal Bridges walked into an opener corner three, which he drilled.

The Knicks have so many weapons offensively that it would be easy to overlook their defense, but their dedication to the other end of the floor is what’s given them such a strong grip on this series. Victor Wembanyama looked like the best player in the world after leading the Spurs to a 7-game Western Conference Finals victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks are flustered Wembanyama through two games in the NBA Finals by pushing him out to the perimeter, getting into his dribble when he puts the ball on the floor, and making him defend out on the perimeter to pull him away from the paint.

The key for the Knicks on both ends has been Karl-Anthony Towns. He should be Finals MVP if the series ended today.

Towns’ defense has been questioned through his career. He’s completely turned it around defensively during this playoff run. Towns looks comfortable pressuring Wembanyama out on the perimeter defensively, and he has the strength to keep him away his spots around the elbow or inside the paint. He’s also an elite defensive rebounder who has been cleaning up on the glass and allowing New York to win the possession game. Offensively, Towns’ knockdown shooting ability means Wemby can’t hang around the rim. When he sees an opening, KAT is also consistently attacking off the dribble to put pressure on the rim and finish through Wembanyama and other Spurs defenders.

Jalen Brunson took the Knicks home with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Game 1, but for the most part San Antonio has done an excellent job defending him. It’s been the other Knicks who have picked Brunson up. New York’s offense felt way too dependent on Brunson to create everything in previous years. The Knicks no longer feels like a one-man show on offense, and it’s making them so much harder to defend.

Brunson has 50 points on 56 shots so far in this series. He’s still been emptying the clip when the Knicks really need a bucket, but it’s players like OG Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and reserve guard Landry Shamet have kept the offense humming.

Wembanyama ended the game with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The late turnover looking for Castle at the end of Game 2 might haunt the Spurs for a long time.

The Knicks are now up 2-0 in the 2026 NBA Finals. Game 3 is Monday in Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be incredible. The series just keeps getting better and better.

#Knicks #broken #Spurs #NBA #Finals #Game #win">The Knicks have broken the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals after Game 2 win The New York Knicks are headed back to Madison Square Garden with the opportunity to bring home the franchise’s first championship in 53 years without leaving the city. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-104, in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals to become the third team in league history to win the first two games of the championship round on the road, joining the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets.The Knicks have now won 13 straight playoff games, with 11 of those victories coming by double-figures. The Spurs were a 2-1 favorite in the betting markets entering the series, but the Knicks have out-classed a young San Antonio team on both ends to take complete control in the matchup so far.The Knicks took a 97-83 lead with six minutes remaining on a driving dunk by OG Anunoby. From there, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the game. The end of the fourth quarter featured a wild sequence where Jalen Brunson missed a mid-range jump shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet pass to teammate Stephon Castle. Only problem: Castle wasn’t looking for the ball, so it hit him in the back and resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled after the Knicks recovered the possession, and he split two free throws to give New York the lead. The Spurs had one last chance, but Wembanyama missed an attempt at the game-winning jumper at the buzzer:For long stretches in this game, it felt like the Knicks had mastered basketball. After the Spurs ended the first quarter with a nine-point lead, New York roared back in the second quarter with what’s quickly becoming their signature blend of selfless ball-movement, skilled shooting, and tough defense. The Knicks have a true five-out offense, and the threat of their shooting is putting San Antonio’s defense in constant rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and an entire lineup that all dribble, pass, and shoot.It all came together on this possession where all five players touched the ball before Mikal Bridges walked into an opener corner three, which he drilled.The Knicks have so many weapons offensively that it would be easy to overlook their defense, but their dedication to the other end of the floor is what’s given them such a strong grip on this series. Victor Wembanyama looked like the best player in the world after leading the Spurs to a 7-game Western Conference Finals victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks are flustered Wembanyama through two games in the NBA Finals by pushing him out to the perimeter, getting into his dribble when he puts the ball on the floor, and making him defend out on the perimeter to pull him away from the paint.The key for the Knicks on both ends has been Karl-Anthony Towns. He should be Finals MVP if the series ended today.Towns’ defense has been questioned through his career. He’s completely turned it around defensively during this playoff run. Towns looks comfortable pressuring Wembanyama out on the perimeter defensively, and he has the strength to keep him away his spots around the elbow or inside the paint. He’s also an elite defensive rebounder who has been cleaning up on the glass and allowing New York to win the possession game. Offensively, Towns’ knockdown shooting ability means Wemby can’t hang around the rim. When he sees an opening, KAT is also consistently attacking off the dribble to put pressure on the rim and finish through Wembanyama and other Spurs defenders.Jalen Brunson took the Knicks home with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Game 1, but for the most part San Antonio has done an excellent job defending him. It’s been the other Knicks who have picked Brunson up. New York’s offense felt way too dependent on Brunson to create everything in previous years. The Knicks no longer feels like a one-man show on offense, and it’s making them so much harder to defend.Brunson has 50 points on 56 shots so far in this series. He’s still been emptying the clip when the Knicks really need a bucket, but it’s players like OG Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and reserve guard Landry Shamet have kept the offense humming.Wembanyama ended the game with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The late turnover looking for Castle at the end of Game 2 might haunt the Spurs for a long time.The Knicks are now up 2-0 in the 2026 NBA Finals. Game 3 is Monday in Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be incredible. The series just keeps getting better and better. #Knicks #broken #Spurs #NBA #Finals #Game #win

The Spurs were a 2-1 favorite in the betting markets entering the series, but the Knicks have out-classed a young San Antonio team on both ends to take complete control in the matchup so far.

The Knicks took a 97-83 lead with six minutes remaining on a driving dunk by OG Anunoby. From there, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the game. The end of the fourth quarter featured a wild sequence where Jalen Brunson missed a mid-range jump shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet pass to teammate Stephon Castle. Only problem: Castle wasn’t looking for the ball, so it hit him in the back and resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled after the Knicks recovered the possession, and he split two free throws to give New York the lead. The Spurs had one last chance, but Wembanyama missed an attempt at the game-winning jumper at the buzzer:

For long stretches in this game, it felt like the Knicks had mastered basketball. After the Spurs ended the first quarter with a nine-point lead, New York roared back in the second quarter with what’s quickly becoming their signature blend of selfless ball-movement, skilled shooting, and tough defense. The Knicks have a true five-out offense, and the threat of their shooting is putting San Antonio’s defense in constant rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and an entire lineup that all dribble, pass, and shoot.

It all came together on this possession where all five players touched the ball before Mikal Bridges walked into an opener corner three, which he drilled.

The Knicks have so many weapons offensively that it would be easy to overlook their defense, but their dedication to the other end of the floor is what’s given them such a strong grip on this series. Victor Wembanyama looked like the best player in the world after leading the Spurs to a 7-game Western Conference Finals victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks are flustered Wembanyama through two games in the NBA Finals by pushing him out to the perimeter, getting into his dribble when he puts the ball on the floor, and making him defend out on the perimeter to pull him away from the paint.

The key for the Knicks on both ends has been Karl-Anthony Towns. He should be Finals MVP if the series ended today.

Towns’ defense has been questioned through his career. He’s completely turned it around defensively during this playoff run. Towns looks comfortable pressuring Wembanyama out on the perimeter defensively, and he has the strength to keep him away his spots around the elbow or inside the paint. He’s also an elite defensive rebounder who has been cleaning up on the glass and allowing New York to win the possession game. Offensively, Towns’ knockdown shooting ability means Wemby can’t hang around the rim. When he sees an opening, KAT is also consistently attacking off the dribble to put pressure on the rim and finish through Wembanyama and other Spurs defenders.

Jalen Brunson took the Knicks home with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Game 1, but for the most part San Antonio has done an excellent job defending him. It’s been the other Knicks who have picked Brunson up. New York’s offense felt way too dependent on Brunson to create everything in previous years. The Knicks no longer feels like a one-man show on offense, and it’s making them so much harder to defend.

Brunson has 50 points on 56 shots so far in this series. He’s still been emptying the clip when the Knicks really need a bucket, but it’s players like OG Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and reserve guard Landry Shamet have kept the offense humming.

Wembanyama ended the game with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The late turnover looking for Castle at the end of Game 2 might haunt the Spurs for a long time.

The Knicks are now up 2-0 in the 2026 NBA Finals. Game 3 is Monday in Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be incredible. The series just keeps getting better and better.

#Knicks #broken #Spurs #NBA #Finals #Game #win">The Knicks have broken the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals after Game 2 win

The New York Knicks are headed back to Madison Square Garden with the opportunity to bring home the franchise’s first championship in 53 years without leaving the city. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs, 105-104, in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals to become the third team in league history to win the first two games of the championship round on the road, joining the 1993 Chicago Bulls and 1995 Houston Rockets.

The Knicks have now won 13 straight playoff games, with 11 of those victories coming by double-figures. The Spurs were a 2-1 favorite in the betting markets entering the series, but the Knicks have out-classed a young San Antonio team on both ends to take complete control in the matchup so far.

The Knicks took a 97-83 lead with six minutes remaining on a driving dunk by OG Anunoby. From there, the Spurs went on a 14-0 run to tie the game. The end of the fourth quarter featured a wild sequence where Jalen Brunson missed a mid-range jump shot with 13 seconds left, Victor Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and tried to throw an outlet pass to teammate Stephon Castle. Only problem: Castle wasn’t looking for the ball, so it hit him in the back and resulted in a turnover. Brunson was fouled after the Knicks recovered the possession, and he split two free throws to give New York the lead. The Spurs had one last chance, but Wembanyama missed an attempt at the game-winning jumper at the buzzer:

For long stretches in this game, it felt like the Knicks had mastered basketball. After the Spurs ended the first quarter with a nine-point lead, New York roared back in the second quarter with what’s quickly becoming their signature blend of selfless ball-movement, skilled shooting, and tough defense. The Knicks have a true five-out offense, and the threat of their shooting is putting San Antonio’s defense in constant rotation. New York has immaculate spacing and an entire lineup that all dribble, pass, and shoot.

It all came together on this possession where all five players touched the ball before Mikal Bridges walked into an opener corner three, which he drilled.

The Knicks have so many weapons offensively that it would be easy to overlook their defense, but their dedication to the other end of the floor is what’s given them such a strong grip on this series. Victor Wembanyama looked like the best player in the world after leading the Spurs to a 7-game Western Conference Finals victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks are flustered Wembanyama through two games in the NBA Finals by pushing him out to the perimeter, getting into his dribble when he puts the ball on the floor, and making him defend out on the perimeter to pull him away from the paint.

The key for the Knicks on both ends has been Karl-Anthony Towns. He should be Finals MVP if the series ended today.

Towns’ defense has been questioned through his career. He’s completely turned it around defensively during this playoff run. Towns looks comfortable pressuring Wembanyama out on the perimeter defensively, and he has the strength to keep him away his spots around the elbow or inside the paint. He’s also an elite defensive rebounder who has been cleaning up on the glass and allowing New York to win the possession game. Offensively, Towns’ knockdown shooting ability means Wemby can’t hang around the rim. When he sees an opening, KAT is also consistently attacking off the dribble to put pressure on the rim and finish through Wembanyama and other Spurs defenders.

Jalen Brunson took the Knicks home with clutch shot-making down the stretch in Game 1, but for the most part San Antonio has done an excellent job defending him. It’s been the other Knicks who have picked Brunson up. New York’s offense felt way too dependent on Brunson to create everything in previous years. The Knicks no longer feels like a one-man show on offense, and it’s making them so much harder to defend.

Brunson has 50 points on 56 shots so far in this series. He’s still been emptying the clip when the Knicks really need a bucket, but it’s players like OG Anunoby, Bridges, Hart, and reserve guard Landry Shamet have kept the offense humming.

Wembanyama ended the game with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting. The late turnover looking for Castle at the end of Game 2 might haunt the Spurs for a long time.

The Knicks are now up 2-0 in the 2026 NBA Finals. Game 3 is Monday in Madison Square Garden. It’s going to be incredible. The series just keeps getting better and better.

#Knicks #broken #Spurs #NBA #Finals #Game #win

San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama could barely remember the details of the late-game miscues that cost the Spurs in their agonizing 105-104 loss to the New York Knicks in game two of the NBA Finals on Friday.

The Spurs used a 14-0 scoring run to erase a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and briefly took a one-point lead before it all fell apart.

Wembanyama keyed the comeback, but two crucial misses — including a potential game-game winner — and an inexplicable turnover with a pass into teammate Stephon Castle’s back doomed the Spurs’ rally bid.

“I’m still very blurry,” he said of the plays. “That’s the whole problem. I need to have more poise, more control over the game.”

The score was knotted at 104-104 with 9.5 seconds left when Wembanyama threw the pass that Castle never saw coming.

“I was looking at him when he first got the rebound,” he said. “I just started to take off to try to give him some space to dribble up the court. I didn’t see him throw it to me.”

San Antonio still had a chance to win it, but Wembanyama’s final jump shot bounced off the rim.

He said he got the shot he was looking for on the inbounds play but couldn’t get it to drop.

“Of course I liked the shot,” he said. “I feel like in this moment you need to shoot to score.”

And Castle said there was no other player the Spurs would want to see taking that shot than Wemby.

“He’s made that shot a thousand times,” Castle said. “He has a game-winner with that shot this year.”

The Spurs now need an unprecedented comeback as the series shifts to New York for games three and four. No NBA team has lost the first two games of the Finals on their home floor and come back to lift the trophy.

“We needed to win that game,” Wembanyama said. “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.”

Published on Jun 06, 2026

#NBA #Finals #Game #Victor #Wembanyama #seeks #clarity #heartbreaking #Spurs #loss">NBA Finals, Game 2 — Victor Wembanyama seeks clarity after heartbreaking Spurs loss San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama could barely remember the details of the late-game miscues that cost the Spurs in their agonizing 105-104 loss to the New York Knicks in game two of the NBA Finals on Friday.The Spurs used a 14-0 scoring run to erase a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and briefly took a one-point lead before it all fell apart.Wembanyama keyed the comeback, but two crucial misses — including a potential game-game winner — and an inexplicable turnover with a pass into teammate Stephon Castle’s back doomed the Spurs’ rally bid.“I’m still very blurry,” he said of the plays. “That’s the whole problem. I need to have more poise, more control over the game.”The score was knotted at 104-104 with 9.5 seconds left when Wembanyama threw the pass that Castle never saw coming.“I was looking at him when he first got the rebound,” he said. “I just started to take off to try to give him some space to dribble up the court. I didn’t see him throw it to me.”San Antonio still had a chance to win it, but Wembanyama’s final jump shot bounced off the rim.He said he got the shot he was looking for on the inbounds play but couldn’t get it to drop.“Of course I liked the shot,” he said. “I feel like in this moment you need to shoot to score.”And Castle said there was no other player the Spurs would want to see taking that shot than Wemby.“He’s made that shot a thousand times,” Castle said. “He has a game-winner with that shot this year.”The Spurs now need an unprecedented comeback as the series shifts to New York for games three and four. No NBA team has lost the first two games of the Finals on their home floor and come back to lift the trophy.“We needed to win that game,” Wembanyama said. “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.”Published on Jun 06, 2026 #NBA #Finals #Game #Victor #Wembanyama #seeks #clarity #heartbreaking #Spurs #loss

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