New York Knicks guard Josh Hart knows how falling behind can snowball into a 29-point deficit against the San Antonio Spurs as it did in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. OG Anunoby and the Knicks’ heroics in Game 4 sealed a 107-106 victory and a 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series.
Still, Hart knows history can’t repeat itself in Game 5, when the Knicks will look to clinch a championship on the road against the Spurs.
“They come out with a lot of energy. They’ve been doing it all playoffs, and we’ve been very up and down with that a lot this year. We have to make sure we come in focus with a great attention to detail, and taking things a possession at a time,” Hart said. “If we do that, and we play our style of basketball, we’re going to put ourselves in a good position to be successful.
“But we can’t keep getting into a hole and trying to dig ourselves out of a hole. We were fortunate to do that last game — all three of our wins. We’ve got to do a better job of starting games off.”
“We can't keep getting into a hole and trying to dig ourselves out… We got to do a better job of starting games off.”
Josh Hart ahead of Knicks-Spurs Game 5
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 12, 2026
The Spurs have led Josh Hart and the Knicks at the end of every first quarter throughout the Finals, oftentimes by double figures before halftime, including the 29-point advantage in Game 4. The Spurs, with their backs against the ropes, will look to keep their season alive in Game 5.
Zach Lowe’s MVP case for Knicks’ OG Anunoby after Game 4
While Knicks forward OG Anunoby’s game-winning put-back shot will go down in history as the most important make in franchise history, the veteran wing has been consistent throughout the postseason. NBA insider Zach Lowe made his MVP case for Anunoby.
Anunoby could have serious consideration for MVP if the Knicks are able to close out the Spurs in Game 5, Lowe said, per The Ringer’s The Zach Lowe Show.
“What a playoffs for OG Anunoby. He is averaging 21 points and six rebounds. Here’s his playoff shooting splits: 58% shooting, 51% on threes, 64% on twos,” Lowe said.
“In the finals, he is averaging 24 points a game on 58% shooting and 57% on threes, and despite averaging five and a half points less than Jalen Brunson and three and change assists less than Jalen Brunson, and Jalen Brunson having big moments in Games 1 and 2 in San Antonio, I think the Finals MVP right now would be OG Anunoby with a bullet.”
Who’s the leading candidate for Finals MVP? @ZachLowe_NBA on why it’s OG Anunoby.
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— The Ringer (@ringer) June 11, 2026
The Spurs will host the Knicks in Game 5 on Saturday.
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