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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.<\/p>\n
The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks met with the press ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals<\/a>, which is scheduled to be broadcast Wednesday, June 10 at 8:30 ET on ABC.<\/p>\n Catch up on the best quotes and moments from the fourth Media Day of the Finals with the NBA.com live blog.<\/p>\n What we know after Tuesday\u2019s Media Day:<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 3:30 ET<\/p>\n Mikal Bridges speaks<\/p>\n Mikal Bridges talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On what the Spurs did to affect the Knicks in Game 3\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThey came out the gates more physical than us, and I think that was the main part right there\u2026 They were the more playing-hard team than us.\u201d<\/p>\n On the number of shots that come late in the shot clock\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think our offense got to be way better. We\u2019re just stagnant offensively, not helping the next guy out, that\u2019s either on the ball or one pass away. We\u2019ve got to move without the ball and be less stagnant, so we can help each other out.\u201d<\/p>\n On the Knicks\u2019 effectiveness cutting along the baseline\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cToo much ball-watching, standing around. We\u2019ve just got to keep moving. I think they do a great job with the guards, and then Wemby staying low, and it can draw confusion sometimes. But if we just keep moving, it\u2019s going to help us and benefit us.\u201d<\/p>\n On his chemistry with Karl-Anthony Towns\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cKAT\u2019s a really good passer, and I\u2019ve been cutting my whole life, since high school. This is our second year playing together, and it\u2019s kind of a rhythm thing. I think we both have an understanding of the gaps that are open\u2026 KAT will kind of give you a look like, \u2018it\u2019s right there,\u2019 and I trust him, because he\u2019ll lead me sometimes if I don\u2019t know what\u2019s there, because I\u2019m not looking\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s a lot of trust, because he can pass really well, and I know I can cut pretty well, so I think the understanding of that goes really well.\u201d<\/p>\n On the feeling of playing for the Knicks\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cFor sure different. A, with the media, it\u2019s way different, and with the fans, way more passionate. There are passionate fans all over\u2026 but it\u2019s like another level. They hold you accountable as well. I just always appreciate the grittiness that they want; I think they always want what\u2019s best for the team. Even when they\u2019re holding you accountable, I think it\u2019s more knowing that you have to go play better \u2014 and they\u2019ll let you know. If you\u2019re tough or not, if you want to get better as a player, that\u2019s what\u2019s already on your mind.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I love about New York. They\u2019ve got that toughness, and they want the best for the team, and the best for you. There might be times \u2014 I\u2019ve been here two years, and I feel like they\u2019ve been on me a little bit. But the thing is, some can be extreme, but the real fans, there\u2019s nothing else you want more. I know personally, if I\u2019m going through something, struggling, I know I\u2019m trying to do whatever in my power to be better. They\u2019re staying on me, and they want better, so they\u2019re going to demand it, and I\u2019ve got nothing wrong with tough love.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 3:15 ET<\/p>\n Karl-Anthony Towns speaks<\/p>\n Karl-Anthony Towns talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On finding his offensive game in the fourth quarter and whether there\u2019s something different down the stretch\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s a combination. We have a game plan, and we want to execute it. So just trying to execute our game plan, especially when we get in the fourth is vital, and just trying to do what I can to execute it at the highest level.\u201d<\/p>\n On the team\u2019s ability to react to\u00a0stagnation offensively\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to pick up the ball movement for us, and we\u2019ve won, what, 13 games in a row, 50 days of film to show what it\u2019s like when we\u2019re at our best. We\u2019ve got good film; we\u2019ll get back to our fundamentals, what makes us good, makes us great, and get back to work tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n On avoiding slow starts\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have to figure it out. We\u2019ll have to figure it out\u2026 Every game we\u2019ve played here in the Finals, we\u2019ve put ourselves in a position where we have to start fighting immediately. Every time we find a way to get back into the game, but we can\u2019t trust that result\u2019s going to happen every single time. The Spurs have done a great job starting the game, dictating the pace and dictating how the game\u2019s going. We have to try to be the one to throw the first punch.\u201d<\/p>\n On attacking a variety of smaller defenders in this series\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever the defense presents\u2026 I solve that puzzle.\u201d<\/p>\n On representing the Dominican Republic in the Finals, along with David Jones Garcia of the Spurs\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI actually got to say \u2018hi\u2019 to him after the last game. It means a lot to have my mother\u2019s country behind me, and \u00a0have them really not only supporting me, but supporting him as well. This is a monumental moment for Dominican Republic. Shout out to Al (Horford) for being, in my knowledge, the first to bring the trophy back to DR. To have another moment where the DR is represented in the NBA Finals is a true honor, and to be able to have many flag proudly represented, it means everything.\u201d<\/p>\n On what the Spurs did differently in Game 3\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThe details of the game, the details that made us special, we were too relaxed in them, and we didn\u2019t execute them at the level you guys are used to seeing. So doing that, and also the fundamentals of what our team is, and how we play \u2014 we didn\u2019t do that for 48 minutes. It\u2019s something that has got us this 13-game winning streak. Playing around with the game against a great team, you\u2019re asking for disaster, and that\u2019s what you got.\u201d<\/p>\n On his friendship with Jalen Brunson\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cOooh, Josh is going to be jealous. I think our friendship is built off respect. We\u2019ve had so much respect for each other as opponents, and now to be teammates, spending true time with each other\u2026 I\u2019m glad I\u2019ve been able to earn his respect even more as a basketball player, but as a man, and for him to appreciate the advice I give him in daily life, and things I see, it means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n On his message to fans about respect\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThe game is built off respect and passion. We want everyone to respect each other. We want everyone to enjoy basketball in its purest state. It\u2019s the NBA Finals \u2014 there\u2019s no better place to watch basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n On winning one possession games\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day, you\u2019ve got to find a way to win that one possession. You\u2019ve got to win the game.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 2:57 ET<\/p>\n Jalen Brunson speaks<\/p>\n Jalen Brunson talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On improving the offensive flow\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cNot turn the ball over. Continue to be who were are, and our attention to detail needs to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n On his assessment of his game in this Finals and what he can improve\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cMost importantly, not turn the ball over \u2014 give my team an opportunity. Kind of in the middle \u2014 I\u2019ve played better, and I\u2019ve also played worse.\u201d<\/p>\n On avoiding deficits early in games\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to be ready to go. It\u2019s a very vague thing to say, but I think it\u2019s very simple as well \u2014 just need to be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n On whether the Spurs\u2019 full-court pressure makes it more likely for him to shoot\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThey can be connected at times, but that goes back to our attention to detail \u2014 understanding where we\u2019re supposed to be and doing the things we\u2019re supposed to do as a team\u2026 Just help each other out.\u201d<\/p>\n On his feelings after losing Game 3\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWin or lose, we\u2019re going to come be here today to understand what we need to do to be better. That has to be our mindset regardless. Win, we learn, lose, we learn, and we understand what we have to do to be better, giving our team a chance to have the ball and not turn it over, stop fouling.\u201d<\/p>\n On what he\u2019s learned about Karl-Anthony Towns\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been a very great teammate, but most importantly, the person he is fantastic. He\u2019s a person who\u2019s willing to do whatever to help out, whether he knows you well or not, and that translates on the court\u2026 Getting to know him now, it\u2019s an unfair narrative, but I truly love that dude and everything he\u2019s done for this team, this city, and as a friend \u2014 he\u2019s been fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n On the impact of going through this with his father, Rick\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cOur family relationship is awesome. I know when to decipher when he\u2019s being a coach and when he\u2019s being a Dad. When we\u2019re on the court, that\u2019s Coach \u2014 I still call him Dad, but he\u2019s a coach then. And as soon as we get off the court, that\u2019s obviously my father.<\/p>\n \u201cOur relationship is very unique. It\u2019s interesting how people perceive that, perceive us, but I wouldn\u2019t change anything for the world. My Dad being a journeyman in the NBA, us living in South Jersey most of my childhood while he played. Being able to see my Dad for the last four years consecutively is probably the longest it\u2019s ever been, so I don\u2019t take this for granted, and I love this relationship and this opportunity, and I don\u2019t take it for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 2:49 ET<\/p>\n OG Anunoby speaks<\/p>\n OG Anunoby talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On hitting closely-guarded shots in the corner\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cJust having poise. Having poise, being decisive with anything that I do, whether it\u2019s shoot or drive or jab or whatever. Be decisive, and then shoot it with confidence, if I\u2019m shooting it, or driving and going to the rim or making the next play if there\u2019s help there.\u201d<\/p>\n On the rise of his offensive game\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always worked on my game. Maybe a little bit more usage, but just being prepared, ready to shoot. Being assertive when I get the ball, whether it\u2019s shoot, drive or pass.\u201d<\/p>\n On whether he\u2019s still slept on as an offensive player\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think so, yeah. I do.\u201d<\/p>\n On setting the tone for Game 4\u2026 <\/p>\n \u201cJust coming out from the start aggressive, playing the way we play, our style. Being physical, getting stops, running out in transition, moving the ball, taking good shots. Just starting the game \u2014 48 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n On dunking on Victor Wembanyama\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cJust trying to be aggressive and assertive, no matter who\u2019s guarding me. Just reading situations.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 2:26 ET<\/p>\n Josh Hart speaks<\/p>\n Josh Hart talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On how the Knicks\u2019 continuity presents on the court\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cYou just get a familiarity, and there\u2019s a certain comfort level with those guys. All of those guys, they can go out and make plays, especially end of shot clock. JB, I trust \u2018Kal in any shot clock, end of game situations, same thing with OG, KAT. I think it\u2019s more so just the trust that\u2019s built, and you know where everyone likes the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n On what the team got away from offensively in the second half of Game 3\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think we played a little bit slower than we did in that second quarter. We got stops, we ran. Obviously, they shot a lot of free throws, so it was tough to run, and that sometimes causes you to slow down \u2014 it slows the game down.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to be better at that, and playing to our strengths.\u201d<\/p>\n On reacting to the end of the 13-game winning streak\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cEvery loss kind of hurts the same. That\u2019s a good team. We knew they weren\u2019t just going to lay down and let us win four straight. We knew this was going to be a battle. They played very well, and we have to give them credit for that, and we didn\u2019t play to the best of our capabilities, and I think that\u2019s just the frustrating part, because we knew we didn\u2019t play our best basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n On avoiding clashing with France-Senegal in the World Cup with Game 6\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIdeally, we don\u2019t go past five games. Our thought process \u2014 we want to win every single game, not because we want to clash with France and Senegal playing in the World Cup. We want to win the next game, and that mentality doesn\u2019t change no matter who we play, no matter what goes on around us, no matter what goes on in the city \u2014 as competitors, we want to win the next game, and I\u2019m sure they\u2019re thinking the same thing. They want to win the next game. So that\u2019s why it\u2019s a series, it\u2019s going to be a battle, but you can\u2019t think about that stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 2:16 ET<\/p>\n Coach Mike Brown speaks<\/p>\n Mike Brown talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n Brown opens by expressing condolences to the family of Stacey King, former Bulls player and broadcaster, who died Sunday<\/a>.<\/p>\n On getting Karl-Anthony Towns touches, especially in the fourth quarter\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s extremely important\u2026 I\u2019ve got to do a better job getting him involved over the course of the game, especially late.\u201d<\/p>\n On avoiding falling into an early deficit\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cOur 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\u2026 We didn\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n On recovering from defeat after the 13-game winning streak\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m 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 \u2018panicking\u2026\u2019 Everybody is disappointed that we didn\u2019t go out and execute and play to what our standard is\u2026 We feel like we can play a lot better than what we did, and we\u2019re looking forward to going out on the floor and showing it.\u201d<\/p>\n On the team\u2019s offensive process in Game 3\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWe just didn\u2019t execute well. I\u2019ve got to help them a little bit better on the fly, by putting them in better positions with stuff that they\u2019re comfortable with. But then we have to play to what our strengths are, and it\u2019s been pace, it\u2019s been space, it\u2019s been getting the ball reversed, it\u2019s been touching the paint. And more importantly, it\u2019s been making quick decisions, and there were a lot of times when the decisions weren\u2019t made quick last night. One guy caught, held, held, held, and the defense settles in, and now you\u2019re in trouble.<\/p>\n \u201cMaking 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.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 1:53 ET<\/p>\n De\u2019Aaron Fox speaks<\/p>\n De’Aaron Fox talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On the team\u2019s mantra to stay focused\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re trying not to look at it as a series. We\u2019re looking at it one game at a time. Going down 0-2, especially losing those games at home, it can look like it\u2019s a real steep uphill battle, but we\u2019re taking it one game at a time. We know that our season is going to be over in a week-and-a-half.\u201d<\/p>\n On hitting a big shot at the end of Game 3 and how it affects his confidence for Game 4\u2026<\/p>\n Player correspondent AJ Dybantsa asked this question.<\/p>\n \u201cI try not to let making shots waver or boost your confidence. It\u2019s a make or miss league. We\u2019re 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\u2019t just going to fall, there are games you can\u2019t miss a shot. You try not to let that be the roller coaster that you ride over the course of a season.\u201d<\/p>\n On whether he\u2019s been surprised by the Spurs\u2019 young stars unflappability\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThey just don\u2019t have the personalities that you think are going to be overwhelmed by something. I don\u2019t know what they\u2019re 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\u2019t see them panic\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t see that out of young guys all the time, but that\u2019s why we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n On Victor Wembanyama embracing a villain role\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a villain role. If you get hit, you hit back. That\u2019s 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\u2019s trying to go set a screen, if he\u2019s trying to box out\u2026 he\u2019s getting grabbed, he\u2019s getting held. It would be crazy for him to think that he\u2019s going to get open by not hitting somebody.<\/p>\n \u201cBut that\u2019s basketball. It\u2019s 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\u2019t think it\u2019s trying to be a villain, but you know teams are going to be physical with you and you try to hit first.\u201d<\/p>\n On being cross-matched with Karl-Anthony Towns\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cYou 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\u2019m pretty physical, especially on the defensive end. Just trying to take those hits and stand guys up \u2014 if you can force a shot to be 13-feet rather than 10 feet, the numbers drop drastically.\u201d<\/p>\n On the biggest challenge heading into Game 4\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cKeep them out of transition. Don\u2019t turn the ball over, and giving up offensive rebounds. That\u2019s when they\u2019ve gone on their runs. I think we\u2019ve been in control of the game these three games most of the game. When they hit us, when they go on these runs, it\u2019s how quickly we can stop the bleeding \u2014 and that\u2019s been most of the series.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 1:45 ET<\/p>\n Julian Champagnie speaks<\/p>\n Julian Champagnie talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On playing in the Garden as a New York native\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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\u2019ll carry for life.\u201d<\/p>\n On the booing Victor Wembanyama faced\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just regular. I don\u2019t feel like there\u2019s anything to that. Obviously, Vic is a great player, and that\u2019s what people are going to do to him, so no hard feelings.\u201d<\/p>\n On sticking together in a hostile environment as the Playoffs ramp up..<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t 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\u2019s pretty easy to stay locked in your teammates when you guys have a such a good bond. And obviously, we\u2019ve done a lot in this season\u2026 so I don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s too, too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n On shooting amidst the noise and physicality in Game 3\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got to remember I\u2019m from here, so the noise is the noise \u2014 that\u2019s just how it goes. We\u2019ve also played in a bunch of arenas to this point that have been loud, even our own, so I don\u2019t think blocking it out is too hard, we have something to focus on.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Knicks play super, super physical. That\u2019s part of their identity. We have to do a good job of matching that and doing more of that. But I\u2019m assuming it\u2019s not going to get easier, so it\u2019ll more physical tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n On limiting the Knicks\u2019 passing in Game 3\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been them in that situation a lot of this series, when we get them into late clock\u2026 and we don\u2019t quite finish the possession\u2026 I feel like last night, being down 0-2, we couldn\u2019t have too much of that, because that\u2019s when they\u2019re going to capitalize, especially being an older team\u2026 That thought overtook all.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 1:30 ET<\/p>\n Dylan Harper speaks<\/p>\n Dylan Harper talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On getting booed in New York City\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my first time in New York, walking out and getting booed \u2014 I can say that. But it\u2019s kind of been ever series \u2014 OKC, we got booed a little bit. Not so much Minnesota and Portland. But it\u2019s New York, hostile environment, and I don\u2019t think it would feel the same if it wasn\u2019t as hostile.\u201d<\/p>\n On finding his 3-point shot and reacting to the Knicks\u2019 defense\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cLast night I couldn\u2019t make a shot, and that\u2019s just the reality of the game. I\u2019m going to keep shooting them, because I feel like the confidence I have in myself, the confidence the team has in me. It\u2019s just really taking the best shot for the team, not for myself, and I feel like yesterday shots weren\u2019t really falling.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t hang my head too much, because we\u2019ve got a lot of basketball yet to played.\u201d<\/p>\n On the team\u2019s comfort on the road\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI 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\u2019re pretty hard to beat when we do that.\u201d<\/p>\n On building continuity that holds up in the Finals\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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\u2019t together, or the years we haven\u2019t had.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n On Victor Wembanyama\u2019s comfort in a hostile environment\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cHe steps up to the moment, all the time, no matter what moment it is\u2026 That\u2019s just the big-time player he is.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 1:15 ET<\/p>\n Victor Wembanyama speaks<\/p>\n Victor Wembanyama talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On enjoying playing with a crowd, whether home or away\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cBoth scenarios are very exciting. I like lively crowds, active crowds, both at home and on the road. At home, it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n On learning fast enough to succeed in his first Finals appearance\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cMy bet would be yes, it\u2019s possible. What we\u2019ve learned \u2014 many things, across this Playoffs\u2026 Brace with your hands, not with your chin. Hit below the head, if you do. And many other things, but most importantly, be relentless.\u201d<\/p>\n On rolling to the rim early in Game 3\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially early in games, you have to put pressure on the rim, because it\u2019s the most efficient shot.\u201d<\/p>\n On building his coordination over the years and its impact on this series\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI 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, \u2018as a kid, you\u2019re not working for the present right now.\u2019 Right now, me, myself, I\u2019m working for right now \u2014 I don\u2019t even care about next season, we have to win Game 4.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a kid, whether you\u2019re 10, 13, 16-years-old, you\u2019re working for the future. You\u2019re trying to develop your range of skills. Long story short, play on your weaknesses, not only your strengths.\u201d<\/p>\n On dissecting defenses in real time\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n On keeping the momentum from Game 3 and going inside\u2026<\/p>\n Player correspondent AJ Dybantsa asked this question.<\/p>\n \u201cThe goal is always to go inside \u2014 the best shot in the game is an alley-oop\u2026 I think what we\u2019ve built with this team is we\u2019ve got an identity that makes everybody dangerous, and sometimes, it\u2019ll pay off over a season, over a Playoff series, we\u2019re going to get easy buckets.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 1:00 ET<\/p>\n Stephon Castle speaks<\/p>\n Stephon Castle talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On the team\u2019s 11-0 streak in February and reacting to its end\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIn February, we were having a lot of fun playing basketball\u2026 We were connecting on defense, rebounding our misses, giving ourselves extra shots. I think us losing that first game \u2014 I don\u2019t think it was a humbling experience, but it made us realize we\u2019re not invincible. I think it gave us a view on how good we are when we do the right things\u2026 It was an eye-opener.\u201d<\/p>\n On he and Dylan Harper reacting if the Knicks pack the paint in Game 4\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cUs being aggressive, whether that\u2019s taking an open catch-and-shoot three or taking up that space and still trying to touch paint, I don\u2019t think we\u2019ve let the defense force us to do anything all year. I feel like they\u2019ve given us stuff, and most of the time, we take what they give us.\u201d<\/p>\n On the Spurs\u2019 ability to handle hostile environments\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cOur connectivity. Coming into environments like this, you expect it. It\u2019s something you can\u2019t 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\u2019re going to be there regardless, especially cheering on their team. You should want to play in those kind of environments.\u201d<\/p>\n On not losing three straight all season\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI 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\u2026 or it doesn\u2019t work out the first couple of times. I think our process, and just sticking with things, has helped us all year\u2026 Us being able to take a loss, look at it, and see what we\u2019re able to do better right away.\u201d<\/p>\n On his process in between games\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThe mental rest is definitely needed. Today is when we\u2019ll do most of our film. Physically, these are very physical games. Both teams are getting beat up. We\u2019re at the end of the year, so everybody\u2019s tired\u2026 It\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n On the feeling in the locker room after Game 3\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think everybody was feeling good. I didn\u2019t 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\u2019ve been confident we\u2019re going to win this series, and that\u2019s what we plan to do.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re very connected as a team, and we all want to win. That\u2019s just the selflessness that runs through our locker room, and it shows every night.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 12:40 ET<\/p>\n Coach Mitch Johnson speaks<\/p>\n Mitch Johnson talks with the media ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.<\/p>\n On the team\u2019s comfort in being in rotation defensively\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ve had some really good moments in being connected in those rotations, and taking certain things away\u2026 We\u2019ve forced them to take a lot of shots at end of clock\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ve shown that we can be impactful when we\u2019re connected and do it in the right way. They\u2019ve shown that they do a great job of moving the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n On Victor Wembanyama\u2019s ability to read defenses and make adjustments\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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\u2026 That takes a lot of time \u2014 that\u2019s pattern recognition, and in that pattern recognition, there\u2019s processing, and at the highest level, there\u2019s manipulation and dictating by the greats that have done it over the years. I think he\u2019s on that same pathway.\u201d<\/p>\n On the team\u2019s sense of belief\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve played over 100 games now, so what I\u2019ve seen, the belief is going to be there\u2026 We\u2019ve just been honest all year\u2026 We believe in what we put into this deal and each other, and how we\u2019re going to operate and respond.\u201d<\/p>\n JUNE 9 \/ 12:00 ET<\/p>\n Get ready for \u2018The Association\u2019<\/p>\n The Spurs win Game 3 in a thriller at MSG, setting the stage for Game 4 tomorrow on ABC! \ud83c\udf7f<\/p>\n Get exclusive access with @JZFish<\/a> and @QRich<\/a> on The Association: NBA Finals Media Day, live on NBA TV and the NBA App at 12:30 PM ET.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa https:\/\/t.co\/owQtY8YUWr<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/l3jx10jpc1<\/a><\/p>\n