Home>basketballNews> Spurs Finals Game 4 Media Day: Wembanyama Says Alley-Oop Is Best Scoring Method, Castle Talks About Never Losing Three in a Row >

Spurs Finals Game 4 Media Day: Wembanyama Says Alley-Oop Is Best Scoring Method, Castle Talks About Never Losing Three in a Row

On June 10 Beijing time, Game 4 of the Finals will be held on June 11. The Spurs currently trail the Knicks 1-2 in the series. During today's Game 4 media day, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson and players Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Julian Champagnie, Ron Harper Jr., and Stephon Castle gave interviews. The highlights are as follows—

Wembanyama Interview

On his feelings about the energetic crowds in both home and away games

"Both atmospheres are electrifying. I love packed arenas with high energy, whether it's home or away. At home, I want to put on a great show for our fans; on the road, I aim to silence the opposing crowd with my performance."

On making a quick impact in his first Finals appearance

"I believe I can. We've learned a lot throughout the playoffs: using my arms to protect myself in physical battles instead of just taking hits, conserving energy to avoid unnecessary conflicts. But the most important thing is to never let up and give it my all."

On the strategy of attacking the rim early in Game 3

"To start a game, you have to attack the basket aggressively—it's the most efficient way to score."

On how years of honing body coordination helped in this series

"You can't rely solely on your strengths. Someone told me long ago: training in your youth is never just for the present moment. Right now, I'm focused on the present, not thinking about next season. The task at hand is to win Game 4. When I was young—whether 10, 13, or 16—every workout was about building for the future and refining all aspects of my game. Simply put: you need to deliberately work on your weaknesses instead of just amplifying your strengths."

On reading opponent defenses live and adjusting

"I've improved a lot in that area. Looking back at old footage, I used to just take shots without much thought. Even now I might take instinctive shots, but every possession has more purpose, and my efficiency has gone up significantly."

On continuing Game 3's momentum and sticking to inside scoring

"Our offensive philosophy is always to attack the paint, and alley-oop dunks are the best way to score on the court. The team has developed its own identity, with every player being a threat. After a full season and the playoffs, we always find ways to get easy baskets."

Fox Interview

On the team's ability to stay focused

"We try not to dwell on the overall series situation—just focus on every game as it comes. After losing the first two at home, things looked really tough, but we're taking it step by step. Everyone knows that this season will be over in about a week and a half."

On his crucial shot in Game 3 and how it affects confidence for Game 4

"I don't let my mentality swing wildly based on whether I make or miss a shot. In this league, wins and losses are part of the game. We've played over a hundred games this year, and one or two makes won't magically improve my defense, rebounding, or other aspects. There are nights when nothing falls, and nights when everything goes in—I can't let that dictate my entire season."

On the poise of the Spurs' young players

"Their personalities don't seem like they'd collapse under pressure. I can't read their minds, but their on-court play is clear: when the Knicks go on a run, these young guys don't panic. That's not easy for young players, and it's one of our strengths. We're energetic, tall, and athletic, plus we have the composure to withstand any opponent's surge."

On the idea of Wembanyama being seen as a "villain"

"I don't see him that way. When there's physicality on the court, there are responses—same in life. When you face adversity, you have to find a way to get back up and push through. Every time Wembanyama rolls to the rim, sets a screen, or boxes out, he gets hit, grabbed, and shoved. It's only natural to respond physically to get free. That's basketball; physical contact is everywhere. Nobody goes through a game without some bumps or bruises. He's not trying to play the villain—it's just that the opponent keeps coming at him, so we have to match their intensity."

On switching onto Karl-Anthony Towns

"I'll try to make it tough for him. Against big men, I don't just let them catch and go one-on-one. The closer they get to the basket, the easier it is to score. Even though I'm giving up size, my physicality is solid, especially on defense. I'll fight to hold my ground. If I can force him to shoot from beyond 13 feet instead of 10, his percentage drops significantly."

On the biggest challenge in Game 4

"Controlling their fast breaks, cutting down our turnovers, and preventing offensive rebounds. The Knicks often go on runs because of those factors. For most of the first three games, we had control, but if they get momentum, we need to stabilize quickly—that's the key to the series."

Champagnie Interview

On playing as a New York native at Madison Square Garden

"It's surreal. The main goal is to win, especially after being down 0-2. But stepping onto the court, seeing the celebrities, the passionate crowd, and hearing the music—it's a dreamlike experience I'll never forget."

On Wembanyama being booed by the crowd

"That's just part of the game, nothing special. Wembanyama is a great player, so opposing fans naturally try to rattle him with boos. We're all fine with it."

On staying united on the road in a loud environment during the playoffs

"I don't find it difficult. The later you go in the playoffs, the more noise, media attention, and fan interference there is. But the bond between teammates is strong, so it's easy to stay focused. We've been battling together all season, so we can handle any outside distractions."

On taking shots amid noise and physicality in Game 3

"I'm from New York, so I'm used to the crowd noise. We've also played a lot of road games this season, including our own home which can be really loud. Tuning out distractions isn't that hard because everyone has a clear goal. The Knicks play extremely physical—that's their style. We have to match that intensity or even exceed it. I expect Game 4 to be even more physical."

On the strategy to limit New York's passing in Game 3

"In this series, we've forced them to use up a lot of shot clock. But sometimes we didn't finish the defensive possession. When you're down 0-2, you can't afford those lapses, because the Knicks' veterans are great at capitalizing on mistakes. That's why we stay locked in the whole game."

Harper Interview

On being booed for the first time in New York

"This is my first time playing in New York, and I got booed right away. Actually, it's been similar throughout the playoffs on the road—lots of boos in Oklahoma City, but Minnesota and Portland were more moderate. New York's home court is always hostile, but that makes the game more interesting."

On finding his three-point touch and dealing with the Knicks' defense

"I was cold in the last game—that's just part of sports. I'll keep taking my shots confidently because my trust in myself and my teammates hasn't wavered. My shots are always about what's best for the team, not for me. I didn't make shots last game, but I won't get down. There are still tough games ahead."

On the team's mindset playing on the road

"When you're on the road and facing adversity, the whole team sticks together. Playoff road trips are all about unity and holding each other accountable. We played with a do-or-die mentality last game, and when the whole team brings that energy, it's hard for anyone to beat us."

On maintaining tactical continuity in the Finals

"We spend time together off the court too—having meals, hanging out. Those interactions make up for not having played together for a long time. In a high-stakes setting like this, team chemistry is crucial. I believe our cohesion and mutual understanding are as good as anyone's."

On Wembanyama's performance under road pressure

"No matter the situation, he always steps up—that's what top stars do."

Castle Interview

On the team's 11-game winning streak in February and the mindset after it ended

"During that February streak, everyone was just enjoying the game. Our defense clicked, we grabbed offensive boards for second-chance points. The first game after the streak ended didn't bring us down—it actually made us realize we're not invincible. But it also showed that when we execute the details, we're really strong. That loss was a wake-up call."

On how he and Harper would respond if the Knicks pack the paint in Game 4

"We'll keep attacking—whether it's catch-and-shoot threes or driving into the lane. We've never let an opponent's defensive rhythm dictate our play all season. Whatever defense they throw at us, we'll find the right counters."

On the team's ability to handle hostile road atmospheres

"It's all about staying together. When you come into this kind of environment, you have to be mentally prepared and not get intimidated. Given our goals this season, we know this is a must-win. During the game, you focus on the court, not the crowd noise. It's a privilege to play in such an intense atmosphere."

On why the team has never lost three in a row this season

"The coaching staff always helps us review losses and points out areas to improve. We follow through and make adjustments on the court—even if the first few tries don't work, we stick with it. Consistent game plans and execution have been our keys to success all season. After a loss, we quickly identify problems and fix them."

On how the team adjusts between games

"Mental recovery is essential. Today we'll focus on watching film. This series is extremely physical, and both teams are banged up. With the season winding down, everyone is exhausted, but that's no excuse. Regardless of how the last game went, reviewing the tape and getting a short break helps us reset."

On the locker room atmosphere after winning Game 3

"Morale is high. But I reminded everyone not to get complacent or relax after one win. Ever since we lost Game 2, we've believed we can win this series, and that goal hasn't changed. The team vibe is great, and everyone is hungry to win. Our unselfish team spirit shows in every game."

Mitch Johnson Interview

On the team's defensive rotations

"During defensive rotations, we've had many sequences where we executed well, stifled their offense, and forced them into late shot-clock attempts. When everyone is on the same page and executing, the defense is effective. But the Knicks also move the ball very well, and we have to respect that."

On Wembanyama's ability to read defenses and adjust on the fly

"Elite players can see through the opponent’s defensive schemes, personnel, and strategies. Over time, they adapt, master them, and build strong confidence. It's a long process of recognizing defensive patterns and thinking on your feet. The legends of this league use that reading ability to control the game. Wembanyama is on that path."

On the team's confidence

"We've played over a hundred games this season, and our belief has never wavered. Throughout the year, we've always been honest about our issues. Everyone trusts each other and trusts our style of play. Whether we're in a good or bad situation, we stay composed and respond."

Comment (0)
No data