Stephon Castle and the San Antonio Spurs, along with the New York Knicks, addressed the media Tuesday before Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks are meeting with the press ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, which is scheduled to be broadcast Wednesday, June 10 at 8:30 ET on ABC.
Catch up on the best quotes and moments from the fourth Media Day of the Finals with the NBA.com live blog.
- 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’
- Live blog for Game 3’s Media Day: Anunoby | ‘It’s going to be crazy’ in Madison Square Garden
- All-Access: AJ Dybantsa at Media Day
What we know about Tuesday’s Media Day:
- Jason Zone Fisher and former Knick Quentin Richardson will take you inside Madison Square Garden for today’s events beginning at 12:30 ET on NBA TV, NBA.com and the NBA App.
- This blog will be updated before, during and after the proceedings.
- AJ Dybantsa will be our player correspondent, asking questions live on-site.
JUNE 9 / 2:16 ET
Coach Mike Brown speaks
Brown opens by expressing condolences to the family of Stacey King, former Bulls player and broadcaster, who died Sunday.
On getting Karl-Anthony Towns touches, especially in the fourth quarter…
“It’s extremely important… I’ve got to do a better job getting him involved over the course of the game, especially late.”
On avoiding falling into an early deficit…
“Our level of physicality last night was not good to start the game. We knew down in San Antonio they were going to come out with a bunch of energy, especially with the crowd they have down there, they do a good job feeding off the crowd… We didn’t do a good job coming out last night, not just in the first half, but in the second half as well, so we have to up our level of physicality, especially at the start of games, and maintain it without fouling.”
On recovering from defeat after the 13-game winning streak…
“I’m a firm believer that you can grow and learn a lot in wins, but you can do the same in losses as well. We have a veteran group, and no one is quote unquote ‘panicking…’ Everybody is disappointed that we didn’t go out and execute and play to what our standard is… We feel like we can play a lot better than what we did, and we’re looking forward to going out on the floor and showing it.”
On the team’s offensive process in Game 3…
“We just didn’t execute well. I’ve got to help them a little bit better on the fly, by putting them in better positions with stuff that they’re comfortable with. But then we have to play to what our strengths are, and it’s been pace, it’s been space, it’s been getting the ball reversed, it’s been touching the paint. And more importantly, it’s been making quick decisions, and there were a lot of times when the decisions weren’t made quick last night. One guy caught, held, held, held, and the defense settles in, and now you’re in trouble.
“Making quick decisions while doing all those other things can help us out a lot, on top of me making sure that these guys are organized a little bit better.”
JUNE 9 / 1:53 ET
De’Aaron Fox speaks
On the team’s mantra to stay focused…
“We’re trying not to look at it as a series. We’re looking at it one game at a time. Going down 0-2, especially losing those games at home, it can look like it’s a real steep uphill battle, but we’re taking it one game at a time. We know that our season is going to be over in a week-and-a-half.”
On hitting a big shot at the end of Game 3 and how it affects his confidence for Game 4…
Player correspondent AJ Dybantsa asked this question.
“I try not to let making shots waver or boost your confidence. It’s a make or miss league. We’re in 103, 104 or something this year, so you try not to let that be the reason that you play defense better, or you box out better, or you do all these other things that can affect the game, because there are days where you are going to come in and shots aren’t just going to fall, there are games you can’t miss a shot. You try not to let that be the roller coaster that you ride over the course of a season.”
On whether he’s been surprised by the Spurs’ young stars unflappability…
“They just don’t have the personalities that you think are going to be overwhelmed by something. I don’t know what they’re feeling on the inside obviously, but what you see out there on the court with them, what you see on their faces when New York is going on a run, you don’t see them panic…
“You don’t see that out of young guys all the time, but that’s why we’re so good, because we have the youth, we have the size, we have the athleticism, we have the poise to be able to withstand those things.”
On Victor Wembanyama embracing a villain role…
“I don’t think it’s a villain role. If you get hit, you hit back. That’s life. If life hits you need, you need to figure out a way to get back on your feet and hit it back. Vic, every time he rolls, he gets tagged, he gets hit. If he’s trying to go set a screen, if he’s trying to box out… he’s getting grabbed, he’s getting held. It would be crazy for him to think that he’s going to get open by not hitting somebody.
“But that’s basketball. It’s going to be physical. Nobody expects anybody to come out here and not have bumps or bruises or injuries, or all these things. I don’t think it’s trying to be a villain, but you know teams are going to be physical with you and you try to hit first.”
On being cross-matched with Karl-Anthony Towns…
“You try to get under him. I try not to let bigger guys dribble against me. Obviously, the closer that they get to the basket, the easier it is for them. And I think despite my size, I feel like I’m pretty physical, especially on the defensive end. Just trying to take those hits and stand guys up — if you can force a shot to be 13-feet rather than 10 feet, the numbers drop drastically.”
On the biggest challenge heading into Game 4…
“Keep them out of transition. Don’t turn the ball over, and giving up offensive rebounds. That’s when they’ve gone on their runs. I think we’ve been in control of the game these three games most of the game. When they hit us, when they go on these runs, it’s how quickly we can stop the bleeding — and that’s been most of the series.”
JUNE 9 / 1:45 ET
Julian Champagnie speaks
On playing in the Garden as a New York native…
“It was pretty cool. Obviously, we had a game to win, and that was the most important thing, especially being down 0-2. But the initial reaction of just running out there, seeing all the celebrities, the fans, the music, it was definitely a surreal feeling that I’ll carry for life.”
On the booing Victor Wembanyama faced…
“That’s just regular. I don’t feel like there’s anything to that. Obviously, Vic is a great player, and that’s what people are going to do to him, so no hard feelings.”
On sticking together in a hostile environment as the Playoffs ramp up..
“I don’t find it to be harder. Obviously, the noise and the media and the fans, it gets to be more the further you go into the Playoffs. But I think it’s pretty easy to stay locked in your teammates when you guys have a such a good bond. And obviously, we’ve done a lot in this season… so I don’t feel like it’s too, too hard.”
On shooting amidst the noise and physicality in Game 3…
“You’ve got to remember I’m from here, so the noise is the noise — that’s just how it goes. We’ve also played in a bunch of arenas to this point that have been loud, even our own, so I don’t think blocking it out is too hard, we have something to focus on.
“The Knicks play super, super physical. That’s part of their identity. We have to do a good job of matching that and doing more of that. But I’m assuming it’s not going to get easier, so it’ll more physical tomorrow.”
On limiting the Knicks’ passing in Game 3…
“We have been them in that situation a lot of this series, when we get them into late clock… and we don’t quite finish the possession… I feel like last night, being down 0-2, we couldn’t have too much of that, because that’s when they’re going to capitalize, especially being an older team… That thought overtook all.”
JUNE 9 / 1:30 ET
Dylan Harper speaks
On getting booed in New York City…
“It’s my first time in New York, walking out and getting booed — I can say that. But it’s kind of been ever series — OKC, we got booed a little bit. Not so much Minnesota and Portland. But it’s New York, hostile environment, and I don’t think it would feel the same if it wasn’t as hostile.”
On finding his 3-point shot and reacting to the Knicks’ defense…
“Last night I couldn’t make a shot, and that’s just the reality of the game. I’m going to keep shooting them, because I feel like the confidence I have in myself, the confidence the team has in me. It’s just really taking the best shot for the team, not for myself, and I feel like yesterday shots weren’t really falling.
“I can’t hang my head too much, because we’ve got a lot of basketball yet to played.”
On the team’s comfort on the road…
“I feel like we just stay together in environments like this. The biggest thing, when we come to away games in the Playoffs, is just staying together and holding each other accountable. With the level of desperation and desire we played with last night, I feel like we’re pretty hard to beat when we do that.”
On building continuity that holds up in the Finals…
“We hang out outside of basketball a lot as a team, do things like team dinner and play games as a team. I feel like those kind of events, and things like that, make up for the years that we weren’t together, or the years we haven’t had.
“The biggest thing is chemistry when you get in a building like this, when you get in an environment like this, and I think we have as much chemistry, camaraderie and togetherness as anyone else.”
On Victor Wembanyama’s comfort in a hostile environment…
“He steps up to the moment, all the time, no matter what moment it is… That’s just the big-time player he is.”
JUNE 9 / 1:15 ET
Victor Wembanyama speaks
On enjoying playing with a crowd, whether home or away…
“Both scenarios are very exciting. I like lively crowds, active crowds, both at home and on the road. At home, it’s on extra motivation, because you want to give the people who support you a good show, and on the road, you want to do the opposite.”
On learning fast enough to succeed in his first Finals appearance…
“My bet would be yes, it’s possible. What we’ve learned — many things, across this Playoffs… Brace with your hands, not with your chin. Hit below the head, if you do. And many other things, but most importantly, be relentless.”
On rolling to the rim early in Game 3…
“Especially early in games, you have to put pressure on the rim, because it’s the most efficient shot.”
On building his coordination over the years and its impact on this series…
“I think the key would be not to play on your strengths all the time. I received this one piece of advice a long time ago, that said, ‘as a kid, you’re not working for the present right now.’ Right now, me, myself, I’m working for right now — I don’t even care about next season, we have to win Game 4.
“As a kid, whether you’re 10, 13, 16-years-old, you’re working for the future. You’re trying to develop your range of skills. Long story short, play on your weaknesses, not only your strengths.”
On dissecting defenses in real time…
“I think I’ve gotten much better at it. When watching film from past years, sometimes it was just shooting shots, and even still to this day, and sometimes it goes in. But the efficiency, the purposefulness, is so much better now.”
On keeping the momentum from Game 3 and going inside…
Player correspondent AJ Dybantsa asked this question.
“The goal is always to go inside — the best shot in the game is an alley-oop… I think what we’ve built with this team is we’ve got an identity that makes everybody dangerous, and sometimes, it’ll pay off over a season, over a Playoff series, we’re going to get easy buckets.”
JUNE 9 / 1:00 ET
Stephon Castle speaks
On the team’s 11-0 streak in February and reacting to its end…
“In February, we were having a lot of fun playing basketball… We were connecting on defense, rebounding our misses, giving ourselves extra shots. I think us losing that first game — I don’t think it was a humbling experience, but it made us realize we’re not invincible. I think it gave us a view on how good we are when we do the right things… It was an eye-opener.”
On he and Dylan Harper reacting if the Knicks pack the paint in Game 4…
“Us being aggressive, whether that’s taking an open catch-and-shoot three or taking up that space and still trying to touch paint, I don’t think we’ve let the defense force us to do anything all year. I feel like they’ve given us stuff, and most of the time, we take what they give us.”
On the Spurs’ ability to handle hostile environments…
“Our connectivity. Coming into environments like this, you expect it. It’s something you can’t shy away from, especially for the goals and aspirations that we have for our season. We knew that it was a must-win game, so focus on the things that matter throughout the game, and not paying too much close attention to the crowd. They’re going to be there regardless, especially cheering on their team. You should want to play in those kind of environments.”
On not losing three straight all season…
“I think our coaches do a good job of explaining why we lost most of the time, and what we can do to help ourselves. I think we do a good job of applying it to the game, whether it looks bad… or it doesn’t work out the first couple of times. I think our process, and just sticking with things, has helped us all year… Us being able to take a loss, look at it, and see what we’re able to do better right away.”
On his process in between games…
“The mental rest is definitely needed. Today is when we’ll do most of our film. Physically, these are very physical games. Both teams are getting beat up. We’re at the end of the year, so everybody’s tired… It’s no excuse; everybody needs their rest. But mentally, going back and watching the game, whether we had a good game or bad game, I think that little break is definitely helpful.”
On the feeling in the locker room after Game 3…
“I think everybody was feeling good. I didn’t want us to get too happy about one win, and get satisfied, and take our foot off the gas for the next game. I think since the end of Game 2, we’ve been confident we’re going to win this series, and that’s what we plan to do.
“I think we’re very connected as a team, and we all want to win. That’s just the selflessness that runs through our locker room, and it shows every night.”
JUNE 9 / 12:40 ET
Coach Mitch Johnson speaks
On the team’s comfort in being in rotation defensively…
“I think we’ve had some really good moments in being connected in those rotations, and taking certain things away… We’ve forced them to take a lot of shots at end of clock…
“I think we’ve shown that we can be impactful when we’re connected and do it in the right way. They’ve shown that they do a great job of moving the ball.”
On Victor Wembanyama’s ability to read defenses and make adjustments…
“The players of his caliber see so many coverages, personnel groupings, matchups, take this away, force them to do that. Over time, I just believe there becomes a comfortability, and that leads to familiarity and then even confidence… That takes a lot of time — that’s pattern recognition, and in that pattern recognition, there’s processing, and at the highest level, there’s manipulation and dictating by the greats that have done it over the years. I think he’s on that same pathway.”
On the team’s sense of belief…
“We’ve played over 100 games now, so what I’ve seen, the belief is going to be there… We’ve just been honest all year… We believe in what we put into this deal and each other, and how we’re going to operate and respond.”
JUNE 9 / 12:00 ET
Get ready for ‘The Association’
The Spurs win Game 3 in a thriller at MSG, setting the stage for Game 4 tomorrow on ABC! 🍿
Get exclusive access with @JZFish and @QRich on The Association: NBA Finals Media Day, live on NBA TV and the NBA App at 12:30 PM ET.
📺 https://t.co/owQtY8YUWr pic.twitter.com/l3jx10jpc1
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 9, 2026
JUNE 9 / 11:30 ET
Catch up on last night’s highlights
The nightly recap for June 8, 2026, as the Spurs controlled the fourth quarter to win Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
