New York Knicks player Josh Hart anticipated the San Antonio Spurs’ struggles even before Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Hart, aged 31, highlighted a key moment that hinted at the Spurs’ mindset issues during their victory celebration after clinching Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite their win over the defending champions, Victor Wembanyama was visibly emotional, a reaction that spoke volumes.
In a recent installment of “The Roommates Show,” recorded with his teammate Jalen Brunson at Madison Square Garden, Hart discussed this turning point. He remarked, “Everyone’s talking to them about, ‘Yo, they’ve got to beat OKC. OKC’s going to repeat.’”
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart is seen after the team’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, on May 23, 2026. (David Richard/Imagn Images)
Reflecting on the Spurs’ excitement after their victory, Hart noted the difference in attitudes, “For a young team, I feel like that was the mountaintop for them. I told Brunson, ‘You see that reaction? They think they’re going to win it all.”
Hart contrasted this with the Knicks’ approach post their sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. He explained, “Our reaction after beating Cleveland was reserved; we knew we had more work to do. Winning the Eastern Conference was significant, yet it was merely a milestone.”
“The reaction after Game 4 in Cleveland showed that,” Hart added.
The Spurs struggled to maintain their composure, yielding double-digit leads in each of their four losses to the Knicks. This collapse highlighted the Knicks’ strategic strengths and mental tenacity, enabling them to achieve three of the five largest comebacks in NBA Finals history.
Image depicting San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson taking a shot against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart during the NBA Finals Game 4 in New York on June 8, 2026. (Al Bello/AP)
It was only after securing Game 5 against the Spurs that the Knicks fully celebrated, consistently maintaining a mentality that each game was an even “0-0” scoreline.
Hart remained steadfast in the NBA Finals, contributing robust defense, significant rebounds, and sharp offensive facilitation. Across 19 playoff games, Hart averaged 10.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.7 steals each game.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart celebrates the team’s success during the NBA championship parade in New York on June 18, 2026. (Heather Khalifa/AP)