SAN ANTONIO (AP) — As Devin Vassell reflected on what could have been for the San Antonio Spurs, reality loudly interrupted his thoughts.
The sounds of the New York Knicks and their fans celebrating the team's first NBA championship since 1973 spilled into the recesses of the Frost Bank Center, drowning out Vassell's postgame interview.
“Our goal was to win, obviously," Vassell said. "We don’t want a participation trophy to where we just got here; we wanted to win.”
New York point guard Jalen Brunson stymied that dream, scoring 45 points to lead New York to a 94-90 victory on Saturday night as the Knicks clinched the series 4-1.
The Spurs built double-digit leads in the first quarter of every game of the finals, but the Knicks rallied to win all but Game 3.
That San Antonio was even in the conversation was surprising to most.
“Shout out to the Spurs, they are the real deal,” New York center Karl-Anthony Towns said.
The Spurs exceeded preseason expectations by toppling 2024-25 champion Oklahoma City to win the Western Conference with a youthful roster led by 22-year-old superstar Victor Wembanyama.
San Antonio won 62 games to tie for the second-most victories in franchise history just two seasons after a second straight 22-win season.
There was much for the Spurs to celebrate this season, just not on Saturday night.
"Yeah, it’s a little early to go there," San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said.
The Spurs were seeking their sixth league championship and first since 2014 after missing the postseason for six straight seasons.
The lack of postseason success hurt San Antonio in the closing minutes of each loss as New York took advantage of every mistake to rally.
“The margin of error is very thin,” Wembanyama said. “Our domination stats are absolute. We absolutely dominated for most of the series. But our errors, our mistakes, are punished so hard that we can’t have ups and downs like this.”
Along with Wembanyama, the Spurs have 21-year-old Stephon Castle and 20-year-old Dylan Harper to build around and now they have the anger and frustration of what might have been to add to it.
“I hope they take the same thing that we’ve taken from our success,” Johnson said. “I hope it leads to them be hungrier than they’ve ever been, and I hope it leads them to be more motivated than they’ve ever been, and hopefully that leads them to be more — yeah, just to continue to improve in every facet."
__
This story has been updated to correct that Oklahoma City won the NBA title in the 2024-25 season, not in 2024.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson yells during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the New York Knicks, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell drives as New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) defends during the second half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Pinch-hitter Tyler Soderstrom delivered a go-ahead double in the sixth inning and the Athletics beat the Colorado Rockies 7-5 on Saturday night for their fourth straight comeback victory.
Zack Gelof had a two-run homer and Alika Williams went 3 for 3 with a walk for the A's (35-35), including a tying single in the sixth.
Brett Sullivan homered and drove in two runs for the Rockies, who have dropped three in a row and seven of nine. Colorado has the worst record in the majors at 26-45.
The A's are playing this week at Las Vegas Ballpark, site of their Triple-A affiliate, in their future home city — where the big league club plans to move into a new stadium in 2028.
Colorado led 5-4 before the Athletics scored three runs with two outs in the sixth.
Williams singled home Gelof to tie it, and Soderstrom doubled in Williams. After two walks loaded the bases, pinch-hitter Carlos Cortes was hit by a pitch to make it 7-5.
Jose Suarez (1-2) worked 1 2/3 innings in relief for the win, and Elvis Alvarado struck out two in a perfect ninth for his second save.
Rockies starter Kyle Freeland (1-7) was charged with six runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked none.
Jacob Wilson's two-run single in the first gave the Athletics a 2-0 lead. Sullivan homered leading off the third and Troy Johnston tied it with an RBI single in the fourth.
Gelof launched a two-run homer in the bottom half, but the Rockies countered with three runs in the fifth. Sullivan had a sacrifice fly, Sterlin Thompson scored on a passed ball and TJ Rumfield doubled home a run.
Joey Estes, recalled Tuesday from Triple-A, went 4 1/3 innings in his first major league game this season. He became the 10th starting pitcher the A's have used over their last 18 games.
Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (6-4, 4.08 ERA) faces LHP Jeffrey Springs (3-6, 4.68) in the series finale Sunday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Hunter Goodman (15) reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Colorado Rockies' Kyle Karros rounds second base as he makes his way to third base after hitting a triple during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, front eft, tags out Colorado Rockies' Willi Castro, bottom right, at home plate during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Athletics' Zack Gelof rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) and Colorado Rockies second baseman Alika Williams (12) embrace following the Athletics victory of the Colorado Rockies during a baseball game Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)
