Wembanyama tears up in post NBA Cup final press conference: “I’m sorry, I lost somebody today”
The San Antonio Spurs star learned of the loss ahead of the Cup final against the Knicks.
Facing the bright lights of the 2025 NBA Cup final and a packed press room after San Antonio’s 124-113 loss to the New York Knicks, Victor Wembanyama’s voice cracked and tears fell as he spoke of his feelings. The Spurs star, just 21 and already one of the most discussed athletes in basketball, paused during the postgame press conference to say simply, “I’m sorry, I lost somebody today” before stepping away.
Wemby had just played through one of the most draining days of his life, stepping onto the court knowing he’d received news of a close relative’s death earlier in the day. His performance, 18 points in limited minutes as he continues his recovery from a calf issue, was a testament to his talents.
In the postgame scramble, Wemby took a question from the press before saying “I’m sorry, I lost somebody today,” with tears in his eyes. He answered one more question and left.
Victor Wembanyama’s grandmother passed earlier today. He still played the Cup final and was understandably emotional afterward.
— Hoops (@Hoopss) December 17, 2025
So much respect. pic.twitter.com/Y3zsGiJyl6
“I guess it’s good that we got this experience”
He did tell the press: “I guess it is the best practice for important games because of course our focus is already on the playoffs and that’s the biggest time. The playoffs are going to be the biggest time of the year. So, I guess it’s good that we got this experience, too.”
His coach Mitch Johnson said that he thought the game gave his players “some really good experiences,” adding that “you’ve got to execute and you’ve got to make sure when there is a moment where the game feels like it’s getting away from you, that’s when you sometimes need to make a stand. Sometimes that’s a fundamental play that has nothing to do with directly involving the basketball.”
Johnson added: “I’m assuming that we’re feeling pretty frustrated because we lost the game,” while also making clear that “after 25 games in, I believe, that we’ve shown some signs that we can be a pretty good team.”
Victor Wembanyama teared up in the 2025 ‘NBA Cup’ postgame press conference, then he revealed he lost somebody close to him before the game.
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) December 17, 2025
Stay strong, Wemby! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/TjvYhNjLNy
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On their opponents, the Knicks ended their long wait for a trophy by staging a powerful comeback, led by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, with Brunson earning the NBA Cup’s most valuable player honour. A dominant fourth quarter flipped the script and sealed the title.
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