On June 8th Beijing Time, Game 3 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for June 9th, with the Spurs down 0-2 to the Knicks. At today's Game 3 media day, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson and players Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Ron Harper Jr., and De’Aaron Fox fielded questions. Here are the main takeaways—

Victor Wembanyama Interview

Thoughts on playing at Madison Square Garden in the past

"It's always been enjoyable to play here."

How he handles the intense media spotlight during the Finals

"Over the years I've learned to block out external noise, and I'm very comfortable with it now, so it's not a distraction. The level of attention here is pretty similar to what I experienced at the Olympics."

Defensive challenges after being moved away from the basket

"It really tests your mental toughness. When the season ends, I'll finally get a good rest."

Thoughts on playing alongside De’Aaron Fox

"It's been a great partnership. He's helped us solve a lot of problems this season and often makes the game easier. We have many young guards, but he's experienced and always steps up in key moments—that's invaluable for the whole team."

Shortcomings in the closing minutes of Game 2

"There are plenty: turnovers, foul choices need improvement, and we could have committed tactical fouls earlier in possessions. Many little details could be optimized."

How he handles the pressure of the next two games

"Most of the time, it's about accepting the situation. Looking back at the journey we've taken, then focusing on the present and future, accepting yourself and where you are. Ultimately, this is the stage I've always dreamed of—there's no need to overthink and add unnecessary worry."

Stephon Castle Interview

On dealing with the massive media attention as Wembanyama rises

"I played in the national championship in college, so I'm used to the spotlight. When I joined the team, all eyes were on Victor (Wembanyama). This season we've started playing well, so I'm used to the attention by now."

Whether he still dwells on Wembanyama's turnover late in Game 2

"I kept thinking about it that night and the next morning. But once I realized the next game is more important, I had to let it go and focus fully on preparing for the upcoming contest."

Feelings about playing on the Finals stage

"This is what we've been fighting for all along—the stage we dreamed of. Now that we're here, we'll give it everything. Forget the 'Finals' label—it's still just basketball. We need to stay calm, focus on the details, and try to win the next game."

Conversation with Gregg Popovich after Game 2

"The coach only said one thing: put the first two losses behind you. Those games are over, and we had chances to win both. But now we have to turn the page and focus on the next matchup."

Status of his ankle injury

"It's feeling good right now—recovering better than I expected. During the game, adrenaline kicks in and I don't feel much pain, but afterward it becomes noticeable. After a night's rest, my ankle feels much better."

Biggest change from his rookie season to his second season

"Finding my strengths on the court. I no longer chase stats or get too high or low about wins and losses. Instead, I focus on refining and mastering my style of play. Once you enter the league, you quickly figure out your role. Stick to what you're good at and help the team win—that's how you find success."

Devin Vassell Interview

On defending Jalen Brunson in crunch time

"Those moments are his stage, especially in the fourth quarter. The shots he hits are incredibly difficult. There's not much we can change about our defensive scheme—we've been forcing him into tough shots all along."

One word to describe the mindset for Game 3

"Focused. The atmosphere will be chaotic. The crowd will be electric—fans, people outside the arena, the media—everyone will be hyped. We just need to stay locked in. Game 3 is a great opportunity for us to win."

Biggest takeaway from playing in the Finals

"It's an honor to be on this stage. This was my childhood dream, especially playing in a venue like Madison Square Garden."

Ron Harper Jr. Interview

Expectations for the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden

"The atmosphere tomorrow will be off the charts—way beyond what I can imagine and beyond any expectation I've ever had. I'm really excited to step onto that court and play."

Difficulty of guarding Jalen Brunson in clutch moments

"He's built for tough situations—the bigger the moment, the more he steps up. We have to stick with our game plan and keep using the defensive methods that work. He's a natural clutch scorer, but we can't let our spirits drop."

Source of his confidence

"It comes from daily training and preparation. To survive in this league, you need confidence. If you want to perform well, you have to put in the work and maintain a relentless attitude."

How he channels his on-court intensity into motivation

"I turn that excitement and fighting spirit into fuel. If you want to win, you need that hunger. Being able to play in the Finals not far from my hometown—that feeling keeps pushing me."

One word to describe the mindset for Game 3

"Hungry. Without that desire and toughness, you're letting down everyone on the team."

De’Aaron Fox Interview

Breaking down the difficulty of defending Jalen Brunson

"His footwork is elite, his shot-making is outstanding, and he's strong physically. Despite his height, he knows how to find his spots and use angles to score. Our team defense has been good this season, but he still hits big shots. He's the king of clutch plays this season and the main reason the Knicks are in the Finals. We have to continue making things difficult for him."

Ankle condition & advice as a veteran to the team

"My ankle is fine—I'm not worried. New York's home crowd is always loud; even when you're the away team, you can hear Knicks fans cheering. During the regular season, we came here, got an early lead, then they came back and we never regained control. We've played well on the road this postseason, and the Knicks are very strong at home. Easier said than done, but we need to quiet their fans early. In the last Game 7, we kept their home crowd out of it the whole time. In a hostile environment, you have to limit their momentum and not let them feed off the crowd."

One word to sum up the team's mindset

"Resilient. Losing two straight at home isn't ideal, but we have to move on and fully commit to the next two games."

Impact of the multiple high-intensity series leading up to the Finals

"The previous opponents were just as physical as the Knicks, so the long grind takes a toll. But that's what the playoffs are about—players with heavy minutes are almost all battling injuries. That can't be an excuse. We have to play better."

On teammate Luke Kornet

"He brings stability. Stepping in for Victor (Wembanyama) is no easy task—nobody can fully replace what he brings when he sits—but Kornet has been outstanding. He's been through Finals moments before, he's calm, knows his strengths, and every game he does his job and contributes."

Mitch Johnson Interview

Recent preparation work with the coaching staff

"It's the same routine as throughout the playoffs: watching film repeatedly, discussing, reviewing mistakes, giving each other suggestions, and finding ways to help the players perform better in the next game, always striving to improve."

How the team is preparing for tomorrow's game

"We're treating this game with Finals-level intensity. It's a huge game, and everyone will take it seriously. The atmosphere in this arena is unique, and with the Finals added on top, it's going to be special."

The team's transition offense performance

"We've had some turnovers in transition lately, which is unusual for us this season, and we haven't pinpointed a clear reason. But transition offense is one of our core strengths—when we're clicking, we score a lot that way. We have to capitalize on those opportunities."

How he pushes the team to play their best

"Every game now is crucial. We have to execute our schemes, compete hard, and play each possession. Things won't always go smoothly, but we need to focus on what we can control and do better."

Evaluating the team's fourth-quarter performance in Game 2

"We didn't play up to our standard. Overall, we had many good sequences but didn't capitalize. Part of it was our own defensive and offensive discipline issues, and part was the Knicks executing better in the moment."

How to lift the young team's morale after consecutive losses

"Tomorrow night at 8:30 PM, there's only one game worth paying attention to at Madison Square Garden—Game 3. The whole team just needs to be ready and go all out to win."