New York Knicks guard Josh Hart has revealed the team believed they would win the 2026 NBA Finals after observing the San Antonio Spurs’ reaction to winning the Western Conference. Hart suggested the young Spurs team had already peaked emotionally before the championship series.
The Knicks secured the franchise’s first title since 1973 by defeating the Spurs in five games, a series defined by New York’s poise and multiple comebacks from significant deficits. Speaking on a recent podcast, Hart provided insight into the veteran squad’s mindset, pinpointing the moment they identified a key advantage over their younger opponents.
He stated the Knicks felt the Spurs’ exuberant celebration after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder was a sign of a team satisfied with just reaching the Finals. “They beat OKC and for a young team, I feel like that was a mountaintop for them,” Hart said. He suggested that the Knicks, a more experienced group, interpreted that reaction as a lack of focus on the ultimate goal. “You see that reaction from them. They think they’re gonna win it, they think it’s over.”
Throughout the Finals, the Knicks’ composure was evident. San Antonio repeatedly struggled to maintain leads, while New York consistently executed in crucial moments to erase deficits and seize control. Hart’s comments frame the series not just as a tactical victory, but a mental one, where experience triumphed over burgeoning talent.
Hart was a key contributor during the championship run, underscoring his team’s tough-minded identity. He averaged 10.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists during the playoffs, providing the versatile, high-effort play that defined New York’s successful campaign.
