SAN ANTONIO — Emotions Run High in Game 7

When the final buzzer sounded in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, Victor Wembanyama was visibly overwhelmed. He even shed happy tears while embracing his father, Felix.

As the NBA Finals approach, the Spurs’ star center acknowledged that the team is still finding its footing for the ultimate showdown against the Knicks. “It feels like ages since I’ve felt this way,” the towering 7-foot-4 player remarked at the Frostbank Center on Tuesday. “It’s quite a challenge to come back from this. We’re not done yet. We really need to refocus and understand that the toughest part lies ahead.”

“I still have a lot to complete. Over 30 hours of work ahead, I think. Wait, what’s the time?”

In what has been a tough series, the Spurs managed to rally from a 3-2 deficit, eliminating the defending champion Thunder. It’s clear that this team is ahead of expectations, marking the first playoff appearance for the Spurs since 2019.

Leading the charge is Wembanyama, now in his third professional season. He’s backed by Stephon Castle, a promising two-way player in his second season, along with key contributors like Julien Champagnie (24), Keldon Johnson (26), and Devin Vassell (25). De’Aaron Fox, at 28, stands out as a veteran among this young squad.

Castle, reflecting on the high stakes of facing the defending champions on their turf, said, “When you’re leading and playing a Game 7 like that, it’s hard to shake off, especially on the road.” He also emphasized the importance of not getting complacent, noting that they still have work to do. “But when game time arrives, we’ll be prepared.”

There’s been a lot of chatter about the Spurs being inexperienced. They’re actually the youngest team to make it to the finals since the Trail Blazers in the 1976-77 season, with an average age of 25.15 years. So far, that youth hasn’t hindered their performance.

“I don’t think it has ever posed a problem for us,” Castle said. “Most of it is just outside noise. Internally, we trust one another completely.”

“We’ve already made history. Every game offers us something new. We have four wins to go. Let’s take this home; we’ve come so far, but we haven’t really achieved everything yet.”