Spurs Down 0-2: "This is what i'm built for!" 🔥 Wembanyama responds to brutal Game 2 backlash!

Don Harris and Zack Hedrick are in New York with the Spurs. Watch for their continuing coverage of games three and four through Wednesday night, only on News 4. NEW YORK — The San Antonio Spurs are facing a daunting reality. After squandering late-game opportunities to drop both home games in crunch time, the team has dug itself into a nearly impossible 0-2 hole. As the series shifts to New York for Game 3, the Spurs are trying to spin their misfortune into hope, focusing entirely on the immediate task at hand. "Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day it's first to four," Spurs guard Stephon Castle said. "At this point in the season it doesn't really matter whether you're playing at home or away, teams are playing their best brand of basketball. Trying to figure out how to win basketball games is the most important thing." Castle acknowledged that dropping the first two games at home was "something we definitely didn't want to do," but remains optimistic after reviewing the film. "Going back and watching it, those were very winnable games," Castle said. "I think the next two are very winnable games, too." Spurs coach Mitch Johnson echoed that narrow, single-game focus as the team prepares to step onto one of basketball's biggest stages. "We got one game tomorrow night at 8:30 in Madison Square Garden," Johnson said. "It's the only game that matters. We got to come in here ready to win it." As the world watches, Don and Zack will have the latest on the players and the games - covering all angles - as the Spurs try to turn things around. Watch for our special coverage each night live from New York at 6:30 p.m. as we cover the Race for the Rings. The Global Spotlight and the Criticism of Wemby The immense pressure facing the Spurs is heavily concentrated on center Victor Wembanyama. The global attention surrounding the young star has reached unprecedented levels. During media availability, Wembanyama took questions from reporters representing the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America. Despite the worldwide scrutiny, Wembanyama has remained engaging, even as the criticism of his play intensifies. Wembanyama took a heavy beating from critics for his Game 2 performance, despite finishing the night with 29 points. Analysts criticized him at halftime for attempting only four shots in the first half. The postgame critique was even sharper, focusing heavily on his late-game mistakes. After executing an "and-one" play to give San Antonio the lead, Wembanyama’s execution faltered in the final moments: He missed a potential go-ahead jumper. He turned the ball over in a tie game with 12 seconds remaining. He fouled New York's Jalen Brunson, who hit the subsequent go-ahead free throw. He missed the potential game-winning shot as time expired. With the criticism now magnified a hundredfold, Wembanyama was asked how he is processing the sudden backlash. "How do I deal with it? I think the key is acceptance a lot of times, taking a step back, realizing all the journey that's behind this and what's ahead of this," Wembanyama said. "Just being okay with who I am, where I am, what I'm doing. I think this is everything that I wished for. There's really no reason to overthink it. I mean, this is what I'm built for." _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: WOAI on Instagram:   / news4sa   WOAI on Facebook:   / news4sa   WOAI on Twitter:   / news4sa   Subscribe to WOAI on YouTube:    / @woaivideo   Daily News Playlist:    • Playlist   For more information, visit https://news4sanantonio.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 210.442-6397 WOAI is a TX based station and an NBC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #WOAI #NEWS4SA #NEWS4SanAntonio #WOAI4 #SanAntonio