SAN ANTONIO -- While the Knicks marked their title triumph inside Frost Bank Center, Victor Wembanyama remained seated behind a dark curtain near the Spurs locker room after the 94-90 defeat in Game 5 that closed San Antonio's campaign.

Minutes afterward the Frenchman took his place at a podium, breathing deeply and exhaling with an audible sigh to steady himself. He gazed forward and sighed again when asked about legendary players who stumbled before achieving success at the highest level.

"It hurts," Wembanyama said. "Yet I refuse to hide from it. I will channel this feeling to drive me forward. Those players you mentioned were never content with early exits or missing the playoffs. I am not content with falling short. This ranks as the greatest lesson of my life. For our group no experience could surpass what we just endured."

At the time the mood inside the arena felt far from positive for anyone associated with the home side.

The Spurs built double-digit advantages in each of the five games they dropped by a 4-1 margin, including a 16-point edge in the second quarter of Game 5. Over the following stretch the Knicks sliced that margin to five points by halftime.

Even so, Wembanyama's five blocks in the opening half helped hold New York to its lowest-scoring first half of the season at 37 points. The larger issue remained San Antonio's inconsistent offensive execution.

"Many factors played a role," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "We did not earn the victories. Execution occurs on multiple levels, from rebounding to late-game details to maintaining leads after strong starts. We were not prepared to capture an NBA title. The superior team prevailed. We accomplished positive steps yet failed to complete the task."

That shortfall weighed heaviest on Wembanyama.

The narrative nearly centered on rookie Dylan Harper, who delivered 25 points, alongside Wembanyama's strong early defense and a sharp shooting display from Julian Champagnie.

"Several possessions I wish I could redo," Harper said.

Still the Knicks answered with a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to tie the score with under five minutes remaining. They finished with a 21-7 surge, led by Finals MVP Jalen Brunson who scored 15 of his game-high 45 points in that stretch.

New York's four victories came by a total of 16 points, among the narrowest margins for any champion.

"The room for mistakes stays narrow," Wembanyama said. "Our strong stretches proved dominant throughout the series. Yet our errors cost us dearly, leaving no space for inconsistency. The highs were fine. The lows explain our defeat."

Wembanyama struggled late in games, averaging 7.8 points in the fourth quarter on 34 percent shooting while grabbing 3.2 rebounds per contest when his team needed him most.

Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson stood by the locker-room entrance in a black cowboy hat and leather jacket, dabbing tears with a towel during his interview. He spoke of the authentic bond the young roster formed during a season that exceeded expectations.

Forward Devin Vassell sat with eyes closed as cigar smoke drifted nearby, tapping the table each time the Knicks celebration grew louder.

"Listening to that and watching them celebrate on our floor feels difficult," Vassell said. "We sought more than a mere appearance. We aimed to win."

Every Spur shared that goal and truly expected to achieve it. None focused on being the youngest squad to reach the Finals since the 1977 Trail Blazers.

In the end San Antonio dropped three straight home games for the first time all season.

"What frustrates me most is the long wait before another Finals chance," Wembanyama said. "I must carry this feeling, stay patient and perform over many games ahead. Everything we experienced will shape our identity and approach. This season delivered unmatched growth. No playoff run or single year could have taught us more, and personally these 18 months stand out. This marks the biggest lesson of my life. I cannot name every takeaway yet we are absorbing them all."