Josh Hart Identifies Slow Starts as Key Factor in Knicks' Game 3 Defeat
Josh Hart acknowledged that New York's sluggish starts, defensive lapses, and turnovers played a major role in the Knicks' Game 3 loss to the Spurs, as they now look to regain control of the NBA Finals.
- Glenn Catubig
- 4 min read
The New York Knicks entered Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals in a commanding position. After securing victories in the first two games on the road, they returned to Madison Square Garden needing just two more wins to capture the franchise’s first NBA championship since 1973.
Instead of taking a stranglehold on the series, however, the Knicks ran into a determined San Antonio Spurs team fighting to keep its season alive. The Spurs responded with urgency and escaped with a 115-111 victory, trimming New York’s lead to 2-1 and injecting new life into the Finals.
While the loss was disappointing for the Knicks, veteran guard Josh Hart did not hesitate to identify where things went wrong. Rather than focusing on outside factors, Hart pointed to the team’s own shortcomings, particularly its inability to match San Antonio’s intensity at critical points in the game.
His comments reflected a broader sense of accountability within the Knicks’ locker room. As the series shifts toward a pivotal Game 4, New York understands that correcting those mistakes could be the difference between moving within one win of a title and allowing the Spurs to even the series.
1. Spurs Set The Early Tone
Hart believed the warning signs were evident from the opening moments of Game 3. With San Antonio facing a potential 3-0 deficit, the Spurs entered the contest with the desperation expected from a team whose championship hopes were hanging in the balance. New York knew that challenge was coming. The Knicks anticipated an aggressive response after winning the first two games in San Antonio, but they struggled to match the energy level the Spurs displayed early in the contest. According to Hart, the Knicks failed to establish themselves at the start of both halves. Slow beginnings in the first and third quarters allowed San Antonio to build confidence and dictate the pace of play, forcing New York into a reactive rather than proactive role. In championship basketball, those stretches can be decisive. The Spurs capitalized on the momentum they created, and the Knicks spent much of the night trying to recover from early mistakes instead of controlling the action.
2. Turnovers And Defense Prove Costly
Beyond the slow starts, Hart highlighted several execution issues that hurt New York throughout the game. One of the most significant problems was ball security, as the Knicks committed 13 turnovers that created extra opportunities for San Antonio. Each turnover carried added weight in a tightly contested Finals matchup. The Spurs consistently turned those mistakes into transition opportunities and momentum-shifting possessions, helping them maintain an edge during critical stretches. Defensively, New York also failed to meet the standard that fueled its impressive postseason run. The Knicks had built their success around disciplined defense and timely stops, but San Antonio found ways to break through that resistance in Game 3. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with a dominant all-around performance, while Stephon Castle and other contributors stepped up when needed. The Knicks were unable to consistently disrupt San Antonio’s offensive rhythm, a factor that ultimately proved costly in a four-point defeat.
3. Opportunity To Respond In Game 4
Despite the setback, the Knicks remain in a strong position heading into the next game. They still hold a 2-1 series lead and have another chance on their home court to put significant pressure on the Spurs. Several players continued to produce offensively in Game 3. Jalen Brunson led New York with 32 points, while OG Anunoby added 28 points and five rebounds. Hart contributed 16 points and nine rebounds, and Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in with 11 points and eight boards. The challenge for New York is not necessarily finding scoring. Instead, the focus will likely center on improving execution, reducing turnovers, and matching San Antonio’s urgency from the opening tip. Those areas were repeatedly mentioned by players following the loss. Hart’s comments suggest that the Knicks understand exactly what is required moving forward. With a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead, New York will look to deliver a more complete performance and avoid the lapses that allowed the Spurs to climb back into the Finals.