New York Knicks veteran Josh Hart says the team is done celebrating its 2026 NBA title and is already focused on the difficult task of repeating. Speaking at an event in Manhattan, Hart emphasized the team's forward-looking mentality just weeks before training camp begins.
Hart was clear. The time for congratulations is over. "I think all of us are kind of tired of hearing the congratulations, and we're ready to get to work," he stated. The guard explained that the special quality of this Knicks group is its ability to look ahead. He described last season as amazing but said the entire roster is now ready to put in the work, grow, and build for the new campaign.
He also reflected on his personal legacy at the David Yurman event, which included teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordan Clarkson. "It's really just what you pass down to the next generation," Hart said. "For me, it's what I pass down to my kids. And it takes a long time to build it. It doesn't come overnight."
The NBA's recent history is a major hurdle. The league has seen eight different champions over the past eight years, a clear sign of intense parity. The Knicks must break that cycle. They do have stability on their side, returning nearly their entire championship core with Mitchell Robinson as the only key departure.
Their path is complicated by a dramatically reshaped Eastern Conference. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown are now with the Philadelphia 76ers. Giannis Antetokounmpo has moved to the Miami Heat. Paul George has joined a healthy Jayson Tatum on the Boston Celtics, and Tyrese Haliburton is back leading the Indiana Pacers. The conference is loaded.
The team's championship form was on full display in the Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Their last result was a hard-fought 94-90 victory over the Spurs on June 14, 2026, to clinch the title. Reviewing their recent form from the final series shows a 4-1 record (WWLWW), and they ended the season on a two-game winning run.
The specific results from that intense series were: a 94-90 win on June 14, a 107-106 victory on June 11, a 111-115 loss on June 9, a 105-104 win on June 6, and a 105-95 win on June 4. Their dominant 130-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 26 also showed their playoff prowess. You can review the full championship journey and stats on our stats page.
With training camp set to begin in under two weeks, the Knicks have officially turned the page. The celebration period is closed. Hart's comments signal a business-like approach from a veteran group that understands the work required. They aren't resting on their laurels. The entire organization knows the target on their back is bigger than ever, and the Eastern Conference arms race has made the league more competitive. Their quest to repeat starts now, in the gym, long before the first tip-off of the new season.
