For 53 years, the New York Knicks carried the weight of history. On Saturday night at Frost Bank Center, that burden finally lifted, and few players captured the emotion of the moment better than Josh Hart.
After New York’s 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Hart stood at the podium reflecting on a championship that ended the franchise’s title drought and completed a journey he described as years in the making.
“Man, this is the best feeling, man,” Hart said. “We worked so hard for this. I give glory to God. Everyone was doubted at some point. This team was doubted at some point. And all we focused on is the next game.”
The third-seeded Knicks finished the regular season 53-29 before storming through the playoffs, culminating in a 4-1 Finals victory over the 62-win Spurs. As had become their trademark, New York rallied from another double-digit deficit, overcoming a 16-point hole after erasing a 29-point deficit in Game 4.
For Hart, the championship represented more than a trophy. It represented relief.
“People don’t understand,” Hart said. “We don’t really talk about it, but the weight of that jersey, the expectations, the pressure of that jersey. And I guess today, right now, it’s the lightest I’ve ever felt.”
Hart contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds and a game-best +15 plus-minus in the clincher, helping New York withstand a dominant defensive performance from Victor Wembanyama and a 25-point effort from Dylan Harper. But his biggest moments came after the final buzzer, when he reflected on the relationships that helped bring the championship to New York.
The title marked another milestone for the “Nova Knicks” trio of Hart, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, who won national championships together at Villanova before reuniting in New York.
“Those are my brothers for life,” Hart said. “We have a bond that will never be broken. Obviously we won a championship together. This one obviously takes the cake, but those are my brothers, man. I wouldn’t want to go into a game with anybody else.”
Hart also shared a message for Knicks fans celebrating across New York.
“We know that they’re celebrating,” Hart said. “We want them to have a great time. Please be safe, right? Don’t get hurt, don’t hurt anybody. We’re gonna have a parade on Thursday, but everybody tonight in New York, be safe, okay? Celebrate, but be safe.”
Brunson delivered 45 points in the clincher, including 13 consecutive Knicks points in the fourth quarter, setting a franchise Finals record. Hart said neither Brunson’s heroics nor Bridges’ contributions surprised him.
“I’m never shocked at what they do,” Hart said. “Because we’ve been built for this moment. We’ve all been forged in fire. We had a lot of long moments and times and days at Nova and we just continue to build and build and build.”
Hart also credited first-year coach Mike Brown for guiding New York to its first championship since 1973.
“Mike was invaluable to this run,” Hart said. “He understands what it is to be a champion. He understands how to build a team, how to build habits that will put you in this position.”
Yet the most revealing answer came when Hart was asked what the title meant after years of trades, coaching changes and questions about his role.
“It’s a part of my testimony,” Hart said. “The one thing no matter what I’ve always said is I want to be a winner. I want to win a championship at the highest level.”
Hart then reflected on finally finding stability with the Knicks organization.
“I found a home in New York, and they embraced me for the person that I am,” he said. “I’m not perfect by any means. I make a lot of mistakes. But I try to put my heart out there. I try to do whatever I can do to help the team win.”
The final line perfectly summed up both Hart’s night and New York’s championship journey.
“I’m willing to sacrifice whatever it takes for this city, for this jersey, for this franchise,” Hart said. “And to win it, man, glory be to God, man. They can’t doubt me about anything else.”
