5x NBA All-Star says Spurs failed Victor Wembanyama in historic collapse vs. Knicks

The noise inside Madison Square Garden never seemed to fade. New York fans celebrated a comeback that will be remembered for years. Across the floor, the Spurs were left searching for answers after letting a championship opportunity slip away.

Game 4 changed the shape of the NBA Finals. San Antonio led comfortably at halftime and appeared headed toward a series-leveling win. Instead, the night ended with fresh criticism aimed at the Spurs’ decision-making.

Former NBA star Chris Webber did not hold back afterward. Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, he agreed with Charles Barkley's earlier criticism and questioned how San Antonio managed the closing stages.

“That was just, probably the dumbest game and, I’d like to say, most arrogant game that’s ever been played,” Webber said. He argued that no player stepped in to slow the game down or create a better offensive possession.

Webber was especially frustrated with San Antonio’s approach around Victor Wembanyama. The 7-foot-4 star spent too much time away from the basket despite holding a major size advantage inside.

The Spurs also struggled with late-game execution. Holding a one-point lead in the final seconds, De’Aaron Fox attacked the rim instead of forcing New York into a foul situation. OG Anunoby blocked the attempt and helped create the winning sequence.

San Antonio’s shooting numbers told another part of the story. After making 11 three-pointers before halftime, the Spurs connected on only three after the break. Their offense stalled as New York increased its defensive pressure.

Webber pointed to shot selection as the bigger problem. He said great scorers adjust when defenses take away one option. In his view, San Antonio kept settling for difficult perimeter attempts instead of finding easier chances.

The Knicks took full advantage. They outscored the Spurs 58-30 in the second half, erasing a 29-point deficit. The comeback gave New York a 3-1 series lead and pushed San Antonio to the edge of elimination.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson admitted his team failed to finish the job. Wembanyama offered a similar assessment after the loss, saying New York simply played with greater urgency during the second half.

Now the Spurs return home facing a must-win game. What looked like a potential turning point in the series has become a lesson in missed opportunities.

More NBA news:

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• Former NFL LB wants De'Aaron Fox out of San Antonio Spurs after one play
• Shaquille O'Neal points to one Knicks quality that erased a 29-point deficit
• 11-time NBA All-Star sees a Jaylen Brown answer to Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo question
• Mitch Johnson’s blunt Victor Wembanyama take proves why Knicks had no answer in Game 3