Mitch Johnson delivered a blunt and measured message on Sunday ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals, repeatedly emphasizing execution, discipline, and focus as the series shifts to New York against the New York Knicks.
“We got one game tomorrow night at 8:30 in Madison Square Garden. It’s the only game that matters. We got to come in here ready to win it,” Johnson said, setting the tone for a Spurs team facing a 2-0 deficit.
Johnson described the team’s internal process as consistent throughout the postseason, highlighting film work and communication within the staff. “Same routine as as we’ve had throughout the playoffs,” he said. “You dig into the film, you argue, you beat yourself up, you give each other feedback, figure out how to help the guys for the next game.”
The Spurs coach also admitted the group has yet to step away from basketball during the New York stay. “Have not got out and got on a walk yet,” Johnson said, before reiterating the focus inside the facility: “Just trying to improve on things that we know that we have to be better at and settle into the series and try to continue to get better.”
Johnson acknowledged the intensity awaiting them at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks have built momentum behind Jalen Brunson and a 13-game postseason winning streak. “There’ll obviously be a ton of excitement around the game. This arena is like no other,” he said. “We’ve experienced that and I would expect tomorrow will be more than that and it’ll be a fun environment.”
On execution, Johnson pointed to transition mistakes and missed opportunities as key issues in the first two games. “We’ve had a few turnovers in transition that are not as common throughout the season,” he said. “We have to take advantage of those.”
He also stressed the importance of finishing possessions against a Knicks team that has repeatedly capitalized late in games. “We’ve put ourselves in positions at times to make them miss and we have to clean up the rebound and finish possessions out,” Johnson said. “When we’ve put in some good hard work at times and have not taken advantage of that hard work.”
The Spurs have been competitive in stretches, including a strong fourth quarter in Game 2, but late-game execution has swung both contests toward New York. Johnson referenced that balance directly. “We have to just be better at some of those things,” he said, pointing to late-clock breakdowns and missed defensive assignments.
As for mentality entering a hostile road environment, Johnson remained consistent with his message. “We have to continue to execute and compete and finish plays and move on to the next play,” he said. “The next game is going to be the biggest game until we’re not playing.”
