Live blog for Game 1’s Media Day: Wemby | ‘Job’s not finished at all’

Live blog for Game 2’s Media Day: Brunson | ‘It’s all about how you can improve’

JUNE 7 / 3:18 PM

Devin Vassell speaks

Devin Vassell talks with the media ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

On defending Jalen Brunson in the clutch…
“It feels like those are the moments that he lives for, especially in the fourth quarter, clutch… Even those clutch shots are very tough shots that he’s been hitting. I don’t think that there’s really much that you can change, coverages that you can change — we’re forcing him into some really tough shots.”

On his mindset for Game 3 in one word…
“Focused. I just think it’s going to be mayhem out here. We know it’s going to be crazy — the fans are going to be going crazy, outside the arena’s going be crazy, the media’s going to be crazy. We’ve just got to be focused on us… We feel like we have a really good opportunity in Game 3.”

On what’s most impactful about playing in the Finals…
“It’s a blessing to be a part of this — to be in the Finals. As a young kid, it’s something that you dream of, especially playing here in Madison Square Garden.”

JUNE 7 / 3:04 PM

Stephon Castle speaks

Stephon Castle talks with the media ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

On being prepared for the media attention by Wemby’s rise…
“Especially coming off the year I had in college, I was around it, being in the natty. Coming from that to playing to Vic, obviously a lot of eyes on us… And coming into this year, I think we came into our own, so I don’t think it’s something we’re not used to.”

On whether the late turnover where Wembanyama passed the ball stuck with him…
“It probably stuck with me the rest of that night, the next morning. Once you realize the next game is more important at that point, you’ve got to kind of let it go… On to the next.”

On being on the Finals stage…
“This is what we worked for. This is the spot we dreamed of being in. We’re here now; we’re trying to take full advantage of that. Once you get past the fact that we’re playing in the Finals… it’s still basketball, so we’ve got to lock back in and focus on our details and try to win the next game.”

On speaking to Gregg Popovich after Game 2…
“His message was just ‘let the last two games go.’ It happened. They were very winnable games; we thought we gave them those games. But we’ve got to let those go and focus on the next one.”

On his ankle…
“It’s been feeling good. Yeah, I’ve been feeling good. It feels a lot better than I thought it was initially. Obviously, I had some adrenaline running, and when I settled down, I started to feel it. But waking up the next day, it actually felt really good.”

On the biggest adjustment from year one to year two…
Jeremiah Fears asked this question.
“Trying to find the things on the court that you’re good at. Not really chasing numbers, or getting too high or getting too low, just trying to find the things that you’re good at and trying to master them first. You’ll realize what kind of player that you’ll be in this league very early, and I think if you just help your team win regardless, and do the things that you’re good, you’ll be successful.”

JUNE 7 / 2:50 PM

Dylan Harper speaks

Dylan Harper talks with the media ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

On the vibe in Madison Square Garden for Game 3…
“Tomorrow’s going to be electric. I think it’s going to be through-the-roof. I think it’s going to be everything that I’ve seen, or dreamed of, times 10… Excited just being out there, excited to play, really.”

On the difficulty of defending Jalen Brunson in clutch moments…
“I think he likes moments like that. He steps up in those big moments. And for us, I think we have to keep doubling-down on our game plan, seeing what works, and keep going to that. He makes big shots, that’s the kind of player he is, but we can’t get too down on that.”

On where he gets his confidence…
“My work, my preparation. To be who I want to be in this league, you have to have that confidence. If I want to go out there and perform, and play the way I want to play, I have to (double) down on my work, and my work ethic.”

On channeling his excitement on this stage…
“You have to use that type of excitement, that gracefulness, as fuel… If you want to go win, you have be greedy in a sense, and I think I’ve used my excitement to be here, to play 45 minutes from home, as fuel.”

On his mindset for Game 3 in one word…
“Desperation… If I’m not playing with that kind of fire, grit, I’m doing a disservice to everyone.”

JUNE 7 / 2:35 PM

Victor Wembanyama speaks

Victor Wembanyama talks with the media ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

On his past experiences in Madison Square Garden…
“It’s been very enjoyable.”

On the Finals media attention ahead of Game 3…
“Isolating myself is something that I’ve practiced over the years, and I think I’m good at it, so I don’t think it’s a problem. This is something, media-wise, like the Olympics.”

On defending after being drawn away from the rim…
“The challenge is about the willpower to be able to do it. I think I’ll take a breather after the season.”

On playing with De’Aaron Fox…
“It’s been great. I think it’s saved us a lot of trouble, especially over the course of the season. Sometimes he makes things very easy for us. He’s an experienced guy that we’ve always been able to turn to when we need it. It’s easy to forget that our guards are really young, and how precious he’s been for them.”

On room for improvement down the stretch in the fourth quarter…
“There were many things. It goes from simply not turning the ball over to being smarter about fouls, and even fouling earlier in the possession. It could have went a thousand ways.”

On dealing with pressure like that which stems from the next two games…
“I think the key is acceptance, a lot of the time, and taking a step back, realizing the journey is behind us, and what’s ahead of us. And just being okay with who I am, where I am, what I’m doing — at the end of the day, this is everything that I wished for, so there’s no reason to really overthink it.”

JUNE 7 / 2:24 PM

De’Aaron Fox speaks

De'Aaron Fox talks with the media ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

On what it makes tough to guard Jalen Brunson in the clutch…
“He has some of the best footwork in the game. Obviously, he’s a tough shot-maker, he can really shoot the ball, he’s strong. People talk about his size — he’s not tall, but he’s strong and he knows how to get to his spots and he plays the angles well. We’ve done, I think, a good job through the course of the game, but he’s made big shots. He’s been a Clutch Player of the Year, probably the biggest reason that they’re here, but we’ve got to continue to make it tough on him.”

On the status of his ankle and his advice as a veteran for Game 3…
“Ankle is what it is, so it’s not something I’m worried about. You’re in New York — even when they travel, you hear New York fans. When we came here during the regular season, we hit them first, they hit us back in the mouth and then we weren’t able to get our wheels turning again. I think we’ve been pretty good on the road throughout the Playoffs, and obviously this team has been really good at home as well… Easier said than done, but we’ve got to take the crowd of out it as quickly as possible. Our Game 7, we never really let the crowd get into the game… Just try to negate some of their runs. You know you’re going to come in here, it’s going to be loud… it’s going to be hostile. Just try not to let this crowd get on its toes too much.”

On summing up the team’s mindset in one word…
“Resilience. Obviously, losing two games at home is never ideal, but we have to let those two games go and look ahead to the two games ahead of us.”

On the effect of playing in tough series before the Finals…
“We played some teams that are physical, just like the Knicks are, and that can take a toll. But it’s the Playoffs — everybody’s banged up, something’s hurting on every player that plays heavy minutes. That’s never an excuse, but we have to come out and we have to play better.”

On having Luke Kornet (2024 NBA Champion with Boston) on this team…
“He brings a steady presence. Obviously, when you’re backing up Vic, that’s a tough task, because you’re never going to give us everything that he leaves behind when he’s not on the court. But I definitely think he’s been great for us. He’s been through these moments, and he’s kind of a calm presence, and he knows exactly what his strengths are, and he brings those every game.”

JUNE 7 / 2:13 PM

Coach Mitch Johnson speaks

Mitch Johnson talks with the media ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

On collaborating with staff in recent days…
“Same routine we’ve had throughout the Playoffs. You dig into the film, you argue, you beat yourself up. You give yourself feedback, figure out to help the guys for the next game… Trying to improve.”

On how the team will treat tomorrow…
“Like a Finals game… I think there’s enough at stake that we’ll treat it appropriately. I think there’ll be a ton of excitement around the game. This arena is like no other, and the added circumstances will be on top of that… It’ll be a fun environment.”

On the team’s effort in transition…
“We’ve had a few turnovers in transition that are have not been as common throughout the season. There hasn’t been a real clear theme of why that is… But it is a huge part of the game for us we are at our best, and we have to take advantage of those.”

On getting the best collective effort…
“We’re at a stage now where the next game is going to be the biggest game until we’re not playing. We have to continue to execute and compete and finish plays, and move on to the next play, and understand there are going to be circumstances, there are going to be outcomes, throughout a game that may not go your way. We’ve got to be better at the things we can control and the things we can influence.”

On the fourth quarter of Game 2…
“Not played to our standard… If there’s a thematic thing, the biggest thing is when we’ve put in some good, hard work at times, and not taken advantage… That’s partially been some undisciplined things of us, and partially New York’s stepped up and made some plays.”

On his psychological approach to keeping a young team’s spirits up after losing…
“We have one game tomorrow night at 8:30 at Madison Square Garden and that’s the only game that matters. We’ve got to come in and get ready to win it.”

JUNE 7 / 2:00 PM

Mikal Bridges speaks

Mikal Bridges talks with the media ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

On Villanova memories that come to mind in the Finals…
“Winning championships… being together, being a team, and playing hard, trying to do the right thing. (In Phoenix), being in the same situation, being up 2-0… I think we do a great job as a team, knowing it’s 0-0 after every win, and just staying locked in.”

On being up 2-0 with Phoenix…
“I just remember losing four straight — that’s all I remember from that… We’ve got to be the more desperate team… (Losing like that) is always going to stick with you.”

On seeing Jalen Brunson slip to the second round and what was missed…
“Sometimes, when it leads up to the draft, I think measurements… (are) just too important to teams, compared to just watching basketball. I don’t know what more he has to do — National Player of the Year, leading his team to a championship.”

On slowing the Spurs in transition…
“They’re a really good transition team, and you’ve got to get back, show bodies… I think we’ve got to do way better… Obviously, we did some good things, but I think there’s a whole lot of room to get better.”

On the coaching staff sticking with him after he struggled early in the Playoffs…
Jadakiss asked this question.
“Helped me stay in the right mindset. They helped me out a lot, and staying together as a group, and the biggest goal is to win. Personally, I think I have to be the best version of myself for us to have a chance.”

On what it takes to play 82 games six years straight…
Jeremiah Fears asked this question.
“Just wanting to be out there. Wanting to go every day, be better. It’s kind of how I was raised, kind of how when I was in high school, college, my coaches preached every day… Just having that mindset… And subconsciously, knowing how the league goes… never, ever leave a window for someone to take your spot.”

JUNE 7 / 1:45 PM

Karl-Anthony Towns speaks

Karl-Anthony Towns talks with the media ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

On the expected atmosphere in the Garden…
“I expect our fans to come out and do what they do every came, which is… support us at the highest level. I’m excited to play. It’s always great when you’re able to play the game of basketball at its highest level. To be able to lace the shoes up, to be able to put the jersey on and to see our fans see Finals basketball after all this time is going to be really special.”

On his matchup with Wemby…
Creator Correspondent Agent asked this question.
“It’s great when you’re able to go against a great player… That’s a generational player, something we’ve never see in the NBA before. To be able to go and play against the best in the moment is all you’re able to ask for. For us, to be able to be in the position right now, 2-0, speaks to our team’s resiliency, grit and what we’ve been able to do to put ourselves in this position.”

On Brunson’s offensive ‘superpower…’
“He has great footwork. His footwork when he gets into the paint, and his ability to manipulate the offense, and be deceptive in his dribbling attack. His pull-up game as well. It truly makes him tough to guard. And when he finally gets in the paint, he uses physicality to create space to get his floater off or get to a scoop layup. His ability, his footwork, with his touch around the rim, obviously makes him a tough matchup for anybody.”

On what he expects from the Spurs…
“Their best… that’s how you don’t get caught, in a way, lacking. You go out there and you expect their best, so you want to bring your best. This is the NBA Finals. There’s no time to take any game easy, or take any game lightly.”

On the evolution of his game to complement the team…
“It’s about impacting winning. Especially this year, throughout the year, I’ve always had to change my role for the betterment of the team… Taking all that experience, this year, I’ve had to do it on the fly. It wasn’t game-by-game — it was quarter-by-quarter. That comes with experience… One game, Jalen got hurt, that’s when I had to be a primary scorer. Other games, when he’s cooking, I have to be a facilitator, a hub, an assist-maker, aggressive in playmaking. There’s games I need to do both… while his shot’s warming up. There’s also days when I’ve got to be a decoy, I’ve got to be the best screener, I’ve got to be the best spacer for our offense. I think that, right now, whatever it takes to win — especially when you’re in the NBA Finals — I’m willing to do.”

What ignited this run…
“Us being together, being down 2-1… understand the desperation that comes with being in the Playoffs and trying to win at the highest level. I think also, too, we always talk about the unity and camaraderie of this team — we don’t want to put ourselves in that position ever again… We talk about that 0-0 mentality — that’s a real thing in our locker room, and that’s how we approach every day.”

On being the best 3-point shooting big in the NBA…
Player correspondent Jeremiah Fears asked this question.
“It’s an honor. I worked on my game. When I was younger, that wasn’t something that’s supposed to happen. You’re laughed at; you’re told ‘what are you doing? You’re wasting your time — you’re never going to make it to college to doing that. Just like you understand, a lot of people are going to tell you what they think you need to do to make it to the NBA… but at the end of the day, you’ve got to walk on your own path, write your own story, and that’s what I did… That’s how life goes. Everyone’s got an opinion until someone does the work. Us two, we did the work, and they’re going to have to watch our story being written without them having a chapter in it.”

JUNE 7 / 1:35 PM

Jalen Brunson speaks

Jalen Brunson talks with the media ahead of Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

On Leon Rose’s philosophy of basketball and its impact on the team…
“I think he has a great basketball mind. I also think he surrounds himself with good people. The way he’s been able to do this, especially here, with all the scrutiny… I think the way he goes about his business is as good as anyone. For the time I’ve known him — basically my entire life — he’s always been that way. He’s always wanted to help.”

On whether he’ll check out New York City…
“Not until it’s over.”

On Kobe Bryant’s Finals performances and drawing mindfulness from him…
“I think the way I carry myself, and the way I do things, is a credit to the way I was raised and my parents, but I think the philosophy seeps into the Mamba Mentality as well, so there’s a connection there. I do my best to stay present in the moment, do the things that I can to make sure my mind is right, being mentally and physically ready every where. Trusting my work — that’s what’s gotten me here.”

On things to clean up for Game 3…
“Playing better with the lead that we had… The way they fought back and took the lead is a credit to who they are. Us staying composed helped us with that game, but we do need to be able to finish the game better. It’s unacceptable, the way we let that 14-point lead go.”

On where he thought the team was after losing to the Pacers in last year’s Playoffs…
“We thought we had an opportunity. The better team won. I think what’s most important is every year is a new journey. Every year is a new season, a new way to grow as a team. The way we learn, the way we grow as a team every single day brought us to this moment, but it’s not something to be happy about — there’s still work to be done.”

On what was underestimated when he was drafted in the second round…
“Everything.”

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