On June 8, Beijing time, Game 3 of the NBA Finals is set for June 9, with New York holding a 2-0 series lead over San Antonio. During today’s Game 3 media availability, Knicks head coach Mike Brown and players Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart spoke to the media. Key takeaways follow—

Brunson interview

Leon Rose’s team-building philosophy and its effect on the team

“He knows the game inside and out and has a great eye for talent. Even when the spotlight is brightest, he stays composed and steady. Ever since I entered the league, he has always been that way—always willing to help those around him.”

Whether he will take time to explore New York City

“Not until the Finals are over.”

Drawing from Kobe’s Finals performances to maintain mindset

“My approach is shaped by my family’s teachings, but the Mamba Mentality also has a huge impact on me—they go hand in hand. I focus on living in the moment, getting my body and mind right, and being fully prepared for every game. Trusting in daily work is what got me here.”

Areas to improve in Game 3

“We didn’t handle the lead well enough. San Antonio fought back hard and even took the lead, which shows how good they are. Last game we managed to steady ourselves and get the win, but we need to be better at closing games. Giving up a 14-point lead isn’t acceptable.”

Reflecting on emotions after losing to Indiana in last year’s playoffs

“We had a real chance to go further, but the other team just played better. Every year is a new journey, and the team keeps growing. All those experiences led us to this Finals stage, but we’re not done yet—we can’t stop here.”

On being overlooked after falling to the second round of the draft

“In every way.”

The significance of hosting the Finals at Madison Square Garden

“It’s really special. The last time this arena hosted the Finals was 27 years ago. The fans are incredibly excited, and rightfully so. But for the team, there’s still a tough battle ahead.”

Why he doesn’t get caught up in the excitement and stays focused

“In my view, it’s not time to celebrate yet.”

Being the star player at Madison Square Garden

“From day one with this team, I’ve felt so much love from the city and the fans, and I’m truly grateful. Wearing a Knicks jersey is an honor, and this experience is something I’ll always treasure.”

Towns interview

Looking ahead to the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden

“I believe the fans will support us with the same incredible energy. I’m really looking forward to competing on the biggest stage in basketball. It’s been years since the team made the Finals, and now the fans get to witness it at home—this is going to be a special experience.”

Thoughts on facing Victor Wembanyama

“It’s a privilege to go up against elite players. He’s a generational talent—something the NBA has never seen before. Going head-to-head with the best in the league is every player’s dream. Being up 2-0 shows our resilience and effort, and it’s the result of everyone working together.”

Breaking down Brunson’s offensive weapons

“His footwork is incredible. Once he gets into the paint, he can orchestrate the offense, use ball fakes to deceive defenders, and his mid-range pull-up is dangerous—making him really tough to guard. When he drives, he uses contact to create space, and he’s skilled with floaters and little hooks. Top-notch footwork, physicality, and soft touch around the rim make him a nightmare for any opponent.”

Predicting what the Spurs will bring in Game 3

“They’re going to give it everything they’ve got. We have to be ready for their best punch so we don’t get caught off guard. We also need to bring our A-game. This is the NBA Finals—every game demands full focus.”

Adjusting his game to fit the team

“Everything revolves around winning. This season I’ve had to change roles constantly for the team, sometimes even switching approaches within a single quarter. That comes from experience. When Jalen was hurt, I had to carry the scoring load; when he’s hot, I shift to being a playmaker and focus on passing and running the offense. When he’s finding his rhythm, I need to contribute on both ends. And at times, I’m the decoy, setting solid screens and spacing the floor. In the Finals, I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

What sparked the team’s strong playoff push

“Earlier in the playoffs we fell behind 1-2 in a series, and that taught us how intense the pressure is at this level. This group has always been tight-knit and full of chemistry, and we never want to be in that hole again. The locker room mantra is ‘start from zero every game,’ and we approach each day with that mindset.”

Reflections on being a top three-point shooting big man

“It’s an honor. I’ve worked hard on my three-point shot. When I was young, nobody thought bigs should shoot threes—people laughed at me, said it was a waste of time, and even claimed I couldn’t play college basketball that way. There’s always someone telling you how to play, but in the end, you have to walk your own path and write your own story. I stayed true to myself. That’s how it goes: people talk until someone actually puts in the work. We proved them wrong, and now they can only watch us write our story.”

Bridges interview

Recalling Villanova days during the Finals

“It’s all about championship memories: the whole team coming together, giving everything, staying true to who we are, and playing every possession. Back in Phoenix, we also had a 2-0 lead. This group knows that after a win, you reset and stay locked in.”

On his experience with Phoenix after going up 2-0

“I just remember losing four straight after that—that memory sticks with you. This time, we have to show even more hunger. Losses like that stay with you forever.”

Talking about Brunson falling to the second round in the draft

“In the draft, teams often overvalue combine measurements and overlook what a player actually does on the court. He had already done everything: National Player of the Year, led his team to a championship. I don’t know what else he had to prove.”

How to slow down San Antonio’s transition offense

“They’re a great transition team, so we have to sprint back and get all five guys in position. We haven’t been good enough yet—there have been some nice plays, but a lot of room to improve.”

The coaching staff’s trust during his early playoff slump

“That trust helped keep me steady. The coaches gave me a lot of support, and the whole team stayed united—everyone’s goal is winning. For me, I knew I had to play my best for the team to go far.”

The secret to playing all 82 regular-season games for six straight seasons

“It’s just a genuine desire to be on the court, and grinding day in and day out. It’s something I’ve done since I was a kid—my high school and college coaches taught us that. I know how competitive this league is, and I never want to give anyone a chance to take my spot.”

Anunoby interview

Why Brunson is so hard to guard

“He has so many moves and a ton of fight. No matter how his shot is falling, he stays calm and aggressive.”

Predicting Wembanyama’s Game 3 performance

“Same as always. Very aggressive, incredibly talented, and relentless—that’s the Victor we know.”

What he’s most looking forward to returning to Madison Square Garden

“The fans. The atmosphere is always electric here, and they support us fully. I can’t wait.”

Why the team is on a 13-game winning streak and playing so well

“It comes down to film study, practice, and communication with the coaches. Everyone is on the same page, locked in, and taking it one step at a time. You can see it—the whole squad is fully invested.”

How to avoid letting the opponent come back in the fourth quarter

“That’s just how games go—the other team is going to make runs. We just have to stay focused for all 48 minutes and respond when they get momentum.”

Hart interview

Predicting the atmosphere at Madison Square Garden

“The place is going to be rocking. New York fans love the Knicks, and they’ll be cheering their hearts out—it’s going to be electric.”

On being a World Cup ambassador

“I love soccer, so it’s a bummer I can’t go watch in person, but I’ve got bigger games to play right now. The World Cup is also bringing so much energy to the city, which is great. Since it’s being held in the U.S., that’s huge. Hopefully I can catch a few games later.”

Where the team’s strong chemistry comes from

“It started back in the Abu Dhabi training camp and before. That’s when we set our goals for the season, our style, and the habits we wanted to build. Over 82 games, there are ups and downs, so staying even-keeled is key. In New York, the noise is crazy—win a few games and everyone loves you, lose a couple and the questions come. But right now we’re steady, sticking to our game and our habits, and not letting outside opinions or individual awards distract us.”

How to block out the distractions of the Finals and stay focused

“In college, Coach Jay Wright taught us: play for the guys next to you, not for the crowd. Four years of that made it easy to tune out the noise. Of course the atmosphere will be incredible, and we’re grateful for home court. But it’s a shame ticket prices are so high that a lot of fans who waited years can’t get in. Still, the energy will be off the charts.”

Mistakes to correct in Game 3

“First, our execution late in the fourth quarter—we were a little slow. Second, our transition defense in the second half wasn’t as tight as in the first half. If we fix those two things and control the boards, we’ll play the way we want.”

What defines a great Knicks team

“Toughness, grit, physical play, high energy, and making winning plays in crunch time. That’s Knicks basketball.”

Mike Brown interview

His initial thoughts on the roster when he took over, and his Finals expectations

“Throughout my coaching career, I’ve always wanted to lead a team to the Finals. You grind through the regular season to give yourself a shot at the championship in the playoffs.”

“This team has great two-way skills, along with excellent size, length, and athleticism. Looking back at the Finals teams and championship teams I’ve been part of, they all had an ‘X-factor’ player—someone who brings energy that lifts the whole team, with highs and lows that can surprise you or frustrate you. In San Antonio that was Stephen Jackson, in Golden State it was Draymond Green, and here in New York it’s Josh Hart. Just by playing with pure passion, they can completely change the game.”

“We have a lot of veterans who are hungry for a title, and that’s a big advantage. Everyone from management to the players is aligned on the same goal.”

His feelings upon first coaching at Madison Square Garden

“I was in awe—I couldn’t believe I was coaching here. When I walked to the bench and turned around, I saw my wife and family just three rows up. Mr. Dolan really put them in a great spot. The arena itself is unique, and with family there and celebrities all around, the experience here is totally different from anywhere else.”

Breaking down Brunson’s strengths on the court

“I first noticed him when I was a defensive assistant with Golden State, preparing against Dallas. At first we put regular guards on him and were shocked. He’s not big, and his speed and athleticism aren’t elite, so we thought a 6’4” or 6’5” guard would be enough—but it wasn’t.”

“Even when we put a 6’6” or 6’7” player on him, he still found ways to get to his spots and use his body to create scoring angles. In that playoff series against Dallas, Luka was obviously a historic talent, but defensively, the guy I feared most was actually Brunson. We even used Draymond Green on him to try to match his strength and physicality.”

“Now his game is even more complete. If you try to guard him with a big, he’ll beat you off the dribble in pick-and-roll, in transition, from mid-range, and at the rim. He plays with such poise and control—he never panics. His ability to command the floor gives coaches and teammates a lot of confidence. He’s been a matchup nightmare for every opponent for a long time.”

Why he tends to give credit to his coaching staff and players

“I’m just being honest. My coaching team does their jobs well, and the players give everything they have. If someone takes all the credit, they’re not telling the truth. Nobody achieves anything alone. I genuinely appreciate everyone in this organization—this team isn’t built on one person. I’m just stating facts, not trying to be humble. And if the team plays poorly, I’ll say that too.”