The New York Knicks’ triumphant run to the NBA Finals has featured Josh Hart as one of its most immovable engines, but to complete the job against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, they will need to squeeze every last drop of energy from their roster.

The Texas side booked its ticket to the Final by defeating the Thunder, setting up a matchup with the Big Apple franchise, which arrives on the back of two straight sweeps and an ongoing 11-game winning streak in these playoffs.

In this kind of context, Hart’s contribution will be crucial. Despite standing 6-foot-5, the Knicks forward has always played with outlier physicality, establishing himself as an elite rebounder, a threat off cuts, and an endless source of energy for his teammates.

With Mitchell Robinson forced to deal with a fractured pinky finger, defensive rotations in the Finals (where the Larry O’Brien logo will finally return to the hardwood) could see Hart matched up at times with the towering Wembanyama. Asked about this intriguing and complex tactical scenario, the New York player first responded with his usual humor, then with clear pragmatism:

I don’t know what that means. I guess the league’s unanimous Defensive Player of the Year will be guarding me. That’s a good sign, right? It means I’m a pretty good basketball player

Josh Hart

Getting more serious, Hart reaffirmed his full commitment to coach Mike Brown’s system:

I go out there and I play the game the way the team needs. If that means shooting or scoring, that’s fine. If it means rebounding and defending, that’s fine too. I don’t measure my impact based on other teams’ game plans or what the box score says

Josh Hart

The numbers from the 2026 postseason confirm his omnipresence on the floor: Hart is averaging 11.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game, shooting 44.3% from the field.

Within the Knicks’ internal hierarchy, the former Villanova standout is currently the team’s second-best rebounder, third in assists, and the outright leader in steals. To end a championship drought dating back to 1973 and overcome the Spurs, New York will need every last drop of sweat from its ultimate glue guy.