Josh Hart Reflects on Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Finals Clash

New York Knicks star Josh Hart recognized the San Antonio Spurs’ vulnerability well before encountering them in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Hart, 31, pointed out that the Spurs blundered during their celebration after securing Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The reigning champions’ defeat by the Spurs brought Victor Wembanyama to tears.

During a recent episode of “The Roommates Show” with teammate Jalen Brunson at Madison Square Garden, Hart remarked, “Everyone’s talking to them about, ‘Yo, they’ve got to beat OKC. OKC’s going to repeat.’ Then they beat OKC. For a young team, I feel like that was the mountaintop for them. That’s when I looked at (Brunson) and I was like, ‘You see that reaction? They think it’s over.'”

Hart contrasted the Spurs’ exuberance with the Knicks’ mindset after their sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, propelling them to their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999. “Our reaction after we beat Cleveland was reserved because we thought, ‘We got four more.’ Winning the Eastern Conference was an achievement, but we viewed it as a step toward our ultimate goal,” Hart explained.

The Spurs struggled to maintain leads in the series, losing double-digit margins in all four games they dropped to the Knicks. The Knicks showcased composure and tenacity, crafting three of the five largest comebacks in NBA Finals history during the series.

The Knicks players celebrated after defeating the Spurs in Game 5, approaching each game with the mindset that the series remained “0-0.” Hart maintained his strong defensive presence throughout the NBA Finals, contributing as an effective rebounder and facilitator. Across the 19 playoff games, Hart averaged 10.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.