Spurs’ Mitch Johnson addresses pressure on young team before Game 4 vs. Thunder

Ahead of Game 4 between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, there is no doubt a sense of urgency from the former, who are down 2-1 in the series. As the Thunder won’t take the Spurs lightly, head coach Mitch Johnson speaks on the young team and putting pressure on them.

With a San Antonio team that features young players like Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and many others, there could be another level of coaching them about that urgency. However, Johnson downplays that and believes the team knows what’s at stake.

“Yeah, we won’t speak on it specifically,” Johnson said, via Spurs Nation. “I don’t think I need to. I think we know we’re down 2-1. We get on the airplane tomorrow and go to Oklahoma City…we know that there’s history that says if you lose this game…So, I don’t think we’ll play any harder if I say it out loud to them, but I think we know tonight’s a big game, just like the last three, and we need to handle our business, especially at home.”

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on a young team entering a pressure situation for Game 4: “I don’t think we’ll play any harder if I say it out loud to them. I think we know tonight is a big game, just like the last three, and we need to handle our business, especially at home.” pic.twitter.com/xMcSYCbfMM

— Spurs Nation (@Spurs_Nation) May 24, 2026

After a fantastic Game 1 win for the Spurs over the Thunder on the road, 122-115, the team failed to build off that momentum, leading to the next two games going to Oklahoma City, especially in a disappointing Game 3 at home. It can not be stated enough how crucial Game 4 is, as if San Antonio loses another game at home, the Spurs will be down 3-1 in the series, going to Oklahoma City for Game 5.

At any rate, it remains to be seen if a team coached by Johnson and led by Wembanyama and company can snag a key Game 4 win on Sunday night. Either way, Game 5 will take place on Tuesday.

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