Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs struck a confident tone Sunday at a practice session inside Madison Square Garden, one day before Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks as they face a 2-0 series deficit.

Only five teams in NBA history have recovered from a 2-0 Finals hole, with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 the most recent when they won the next four against the Phoenix Suns. Wembanyama acknowledged the weight of the moment but framed the challenge as one he has long sought.

"I think the key is acceptance a lot of times, taking a step back, realizing all the journey that's behind this and what's ahead of this," said Wembanyama. "Just being OK with who I am, where I am, what I'm doing. This is everything that I wished for. There's really no reason to overthink it. This is what I'm built for."

San Antonio dropped Game 2 on Friday 105-104 when Jalen Brunson converted a go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds remaining following a Wembanyama turnover. Wembanyama then missed a potential game-winning jumper, making him the first player in the play-by-play era to record a turnover, foul and missed shot in the final 10 seconds of a Finals game. In Game 1, the Spurs led by one with 2:16 remaining before New York closed on an 11-0 run.

"We need to capitalize, actually use all the efforts we [had]," said Wembanyama. "I know we're not going to make the mistakes of the past again. But in a moment like this, we need to make these things matter."

Mitch Johnson echoed that theme, pointing to lapses in discipline as a recurring issue alongside New York's clutch execution.

Hall of Fame former Spurs coach Gregg Popovich addressed the team Saturday before their flight to New York.

"Pretty much his message was just let the last two games go," said guard Stephon Castle. "They were very winnable games. We feel like we gave them those games. We've got to let those go and focus on the next one."

San Antonio has lost six straight games at MSG, with its last victory there coming in November 2019.

"We've got one game tomorrow night at 8:30 in Madison Square Garden," said Mitch Johnson. "It's the only game that matters. We've got to come in here ready to win it."