San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson highlighted improvements in ball movement and collective execution after the Game 3 win over the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday.
“I thought we made some strides in terms of the ball movement and playing with our teammates, setting screens, trusting the basketball would find the right guy for our shot,” Johnson said. “I thought we showed better poise at times. I thought we finished the game still with some things that need improvement but stronger than we did the last few games.”
Johnson also emphasized the Spurs’ offensive structure and decision-making across possessions. “I thought we were in attack mode, but also as a collective group,” he said. “And I thought it showed itself in terms of something would happen, whether it was initial action or a guy trying to get to the paint. And if they didn’t have a clear advantage, they were looking for their teammates.”
He added that the Spurs’ improved reads made the offense more predictable for teammates. “Because we were doing that throughout the night, it was much clearer for their teammates to expect where the ball was going and when it was going to get to them and then what to do with it when it got to them.”
The Spurs entered halftime trailing after a difficult second quarter, but Johnson said the response was centered on correction and energy. “We had to come out with the right approach and the right energy,” he said. “There were some things in the second quarter that we weren’t sharp enough on.”
He described halftime adjustments as a reset point. “Halftime’s a time to really catch your breath and discuss some things that you need to improve upon or what you’re seeing out there that hopefully can help each other in the second half. And that’s what we did. I thought we came out in the third quarter with the right approach. We got some stops and had some good execution.”
Johnson also addressed Victor Wembanyama’s performance following Game 2, noting the forward’s consistency in response to adversity. “I’m sure Victor has numerous sources of motivation and I don’t think any of us are surprised or would expect anything different than a strong performance and him being on his front foot in terms of being in attack mode.”
On De’Aaron Fox’s late mid-range attempt, Johnson reinforced trust in his closer. “It’s been in his hands. We don’t you know, there’s times where you ride a hot hand or you do this and that, but De’Aaron’s been one of the best closers in this league for the last five to seven years or whatever it may be. And he’s been a great closer for us.”
He also credited Stephon Castle’s late-game impact. “I thought he was aggressive and I’m expecting him to be aggressive and he made some shots and stepped up and made some free throws and that’s what big-time players do.”
Defensively, Johnson pointed to a key late possession as an example of execution. “It was a really good possession just in terms of multiple efforts, anticipating what your teammate was going to do and then Victor was there obviously do what he does best and clean it up at the rim and it was a huge stop.”
With the series tightening, Johnson framed the matchup as a tactical battle. “Two teams that are well prepared and well coached and just imposing each other’s will on trying to execute and execute through physicality and take away things and take advantage of things.”
