Spurs look to build on NBA Cup experience as they chase playoffs - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — Keldon Johnson, the San Antonio Spurs' longest-tenured player, described the new and «uncomfortable feelings» associated with high expectations in the wake of his team's 124-113 loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup championship game.

Since Johnson's rookie year in 2019-20, the Spurs haven't won more than 34 games in a season. But Johnson and his teammates believe their experience in high-stakes matchups during the NBA Cup provided ideal training ground as they build toward a brighter future.

«I feel like when you have the expectation to win, obviously it means more when you don't,» Johnson said. «I would say the uncomfortable part is just when you had expectations to win and then you don't, just how you respond to that is different, because in past years we didn't have the expectation to [win]. It was different than how it is now.»

After a rash of injuries ran through San Antonio's roster during the early portion of the season, Tuesday marked just the second game the Spurs played with a full roster of available players.

French phenom Victor Wembanyama came off the bench in his second game back from a 12-game absence and finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds. The Knicks outscored the Spurs by 18 points in the 25 minutes the 21-year-old was on the floor.

Wembanyama was emotional after the game, for reasons that had nothing to do with the outcome. He teared up after answering the first question of his postgame news conference before saying, «I'm sorry, I lost somebody today.» He took one more question before leaving.

According to the team, Wembanyama learned of his grandmother's death in France earlier in the day.

When asked about the game, he indicated it would be a learning experience.

«I guess it is