Josh Hart Vows to Make San Antonio Pay for Putting Wembanyama on Him in NBA Finals
New York Knicks guard says the opponent will have to "pay a heavy price" if they use the French center to guard him. Hart emphasized he is ready to make the Spurs regret their tactic.
Josh Hart has vowed to make San Antonio pay for putting Victor Wembanyama on him in the NBA Finals.
The Main Event
Two days before the start of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, Knicks guard Josh Hart made a statement that instantly spread across sports media. Answering reporters' questions after Sunday's practice on May 31, 2026, Hart commented on the opponent's likely tactical move—using the 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama to guard him specifically, rather than one of New York's stars.
"He's the only unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in history, and he's going to be guarding me. I think that's a good sign for me, right? It means I'm a pretty good basketball player," Hart said with irony. Beneath the humor, however, lay absolute seriousness: the 30-year-old guard fully understands that the Spurs will likely use Wembanyama as a "cleaner," keeping him in the paint for blocks and rebounds.
Hart clearly outlined his task for the series: make San Antonio pay dearly for this tactic. "For me, it's important to shoot with confidence. Or make quick decisions—dribble, kick-outs, all that stuff," Hart explained. "If Wembanyama stays low, my job is to create open looks for Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns." In essence, Hart declared he is ready to be the "weak link" that breaks the opponent's defense.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown fully supports his player. "Whenever a team does that, like Cleveland—they put their big on Josh, and Josh won us the game," Brown said. "Josh works really hard on his shooting and playmaking because he knows centers will guard him. And my message to Josh is: 'Shoot, shoot, shoot,' because we believe in it."
Details and Statistics
Hart's words are backed by his play in these playoffs. In 14 games this postseason, he averages 11.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 steals in 33 minutes per game. These numbers are impressive, but the key is that Hart has already proven he can punish opponents for the "leave him open" tactic.
The most vivid proof came in the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 21, 2026. In that game, the Cavaliers decided not to guard Hart, focusing on Brunson and Towns. The result was disastrous for the visitors: Hart scored a playoff career-high 26 points, hitting 5 of 11 three-pointers. Moreover, in the third quarter, Hart made two consecutive three-pointers that were part of an 18-0 run that finally broke Cleveland's resistance.
However, Hart's three-point shooting in the playoffs has been inconsistent—he shoots 30.3% from deep on 4.7 attempts per game. But in the last five games, he has noticeably improved: 13 made threes on 32 attempts (40.6%). This positive trend gives the coaching staff optimism.
Brown compares Hart to Andre Iguodala, a four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, under whom Brown worked as an assistant. "He does so many little things that don't show up in the box score," the coach said. "Defensive versatility, ability to be a connector. With Josh, you have to give him more freedom than anyone. Sometimes it's hard for a coach, but these guys are winners."
Context and Significance
The 2026 Finals matchup between New York and San Antonio is a historic remake. In 1999, the Spurs won their first championship by defeating the Knicks in five games. Now, 27 years later, history gives New York a chance at revenge. For the Knicks, this is their first Finals appearance since 1999, and Josh Hart is one of the key factors in this success.
Interestingly, Hart started the season on the bench. It took Mike Brown 15 games and several frank conversations with the player to admit his mistake. "I'm definitely a player's coach," Hart said back then. But now he is an integral part of the starting five and a locker room leader.
Wembanyama, whom Hart is tasked with "punishing," finished the regular season with the Defensive Player of the Year award, won unanimously. In the playoffs, his stats are impressive: in 17 games, he averages 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game. However, Hart has no intention of changing his game: "Keep doing what we're doing, keep building championship habits. Nothing changes—from the first round to the Finals."
He also warns against focusing solely on Wembanyama, reminding of the Spurs' perimeter: "Obviously, Wemby will get a lot of attention—on the court and in the media. But you can't forget about guys like De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Julian Champagnie. If you do, it's going to be a long series."
What's Next / Next Game Preview
The NBA Finals tip off on June 4, 2026, in San Antonio. The series is best-of-seven, with home-court advantage going to the Spurs as the team with the best regular-season record.
The key tactical duel will be the interaction between Hart and Wembanyama. If the Spurs indeed leave Hart open, the guard must make enough shots to force the opponent to adjust. If San Antonio changes tactics and starts closing out on the perimeter, that will open up space for Brunson, Bridges, and Towns.
Hart also offered his own assessment of comparing Wembanyama to other players. "In terms of height and shooting ability, in some ways he reminds me of Kristaps Porzingis. His ability to stretch the defense and shoot over defenders... But he's a bit more athletic than current Kristaps, maybe young Kristaps. It's hard to find someone to compare him to."
Editorial Prediction
Hart is right when he calls himself a "player's coach." He doesn't score 30 points a game, doesn't make All-NBA teams, and isn't the face of the franchise. But it's exactly these kinds of players who often become decisive in Finals series.
We have every reason to believe Hart can accomplish his task. His success against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals is direct proof that he can punish opponents for the "leave him open" tactic. Moreover, Mike Brown, who has experience with championship teams, fully trusts his player and urges him to shoot without hesitation.
Nevertheless, the difficulty of the task should not be underestimated. Wembanyama is a unique defender whose wingspan and basketball IQ allow him to cover space unavailable to other players. Hart will have to act quickly and decisively, without hesitation.
The key factor will be how Hart starts the series. If he shoots a high percentage—especially from three—in the first games, the Spurs will be forced to rethink their defense. If his shot isn't falling, San Antonio will gain a tactical advantage.
Our prediction: In the first two games in San Antonio, Hart's three-point percentage will be around 35-38%, enough for the Knicks to steal at least one road win. In a seven-game series, this duel could be decisive. The Knicks will win the Finals in six games, and Josh Hart will score over 20 points in at least two games, making the Spurs pay dearly for their tactical decision.
— Editorial Team
