Spurs sick of the ‘young guys’ excuse after sloppy Christmas Day loss to the Knicks

The San Antonio Spurs battled under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden on Christmas Day but fell short in a 117-114 loss to the New York Knicks. Despite Victor Wembanyama’s historic 42-point performance – one of the best in NBA history for the holiday – the Knicks edged them out by dominating the game’s crucial moments. Loose balls, rebounds, and second-chance opportunities proved to be the difference as the Spurs left New York aiming to do better.

The loss was frustrating, but the message in the locker room was clear: being young and competitive is no longer a good enough narrative for this team.

For Wembanyama, now in his second year and already emerging as a star at 20 years old, the Knicks didn’t win because they played better basketball.

“They won because we’re not ready,” he stated bluntly.

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The towering phenom pointed to a lack of grit in the game’s final moments, where loose balls, rebounds, and extra possessions tipped the scales in the Knicks’ favor.

“When the clock starts going under five minutes, under three minutes, we let them move us too much. This wasn’t about basketball skill – it was about being dogs.”

Chris Paul, a seasoned veteran, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the need for the team to shed the “young guys” tag.

“All that young team stuff has to go out the window. We’re professionals just like everybody else,” Paul said.

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He spoke of the grit and willpower required to win in the NBA, especially on the road, where only the team’s collective resolve can silence hostile crowds.

The loss wasn’t just another tough game – it felt like a turning point. Wembanyama described the path forward as finding that elusive “switch” to flip.

“Once we see it works – once we start playing with that level of effort – it’ll become addictive. It’s high effort, but the rewards are even higher,” he explained, his confidence in the team’s potential unmistakable.

Paul, meanwhile, reflected on the depth of the Spurs’ roster and the character-building opportunities that come with adversity.

“It’s about figuring out how to win those close games,” he said, noting that the team’s depth, with players like Tre Jones stepping up, gives them the tools to succeed.

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The road ahead won’t be easy, but it’s one the Spurs are ready to take.

As Wembanyama said, “We’re gonna find out soon – it’s coming.”

When that moment arrives, it won’t just be about being competitive; it’ll be about winning.

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