Victor Wembanyama is confident the San Antonio Spurs will use their NBA Cup final defeat to the New York Knicks as a learning experience for the rest of this season.

The Spurs could not hold onto a lead on Tuesday in Las Vegas, as the Knicks hit back to win 124-113.

Wembanyama came off the bench in his second game back from a 12-game injury lay-off. He accumulated 18 points and 16 rebounds.

However, the Knicks outscored the Spurs by 18 points during the 25 minutes that Wembanyama was on the court.

"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," Wembanyama said.

"The playoffs are going to be the biggest time of the year. So, I guess it's good that we got this experience, too."

Wembanyama was emotional after the game, and it has been reported that he learned of the death of his grandmother earlier in the day.

Left it all on the court.

See y’all back home on Thursday, San Antonio pic.twitter.com/TNrcEdjQpI

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 17, 2025

"I'm sorry, I lost somebody today," he told the media after taking just one question.

Coach Mitch Johnson reflected on a fine run to the final, with the Spurs having knocked out the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semis.

"Just some really good experiences," Johnson said.

"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."

"I'm assuming that we're feeling pretty frustrated because we lost the game. After 25 games in, I believe we've shown some signs that we can be a pretty good team."

It was a sentiment echoed by Dylan Harper, who is convinced the Spurs can achieve special things this season.

"Sky is the limit," Harper said.

"It's our second game [all together again]. It's nothing to overreact about. We have won a lot of close games in the Cup or in the season in general.

"To be on this side is definitely a good learning experience. It teaches us a lot about ourselves, and it's good that we have a whole lot of room to grow knowing what we have done up to this point."

The Spurs are 18-7 this season and take on the Washington Wizards in their next game.