Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson Ripped For 'Embarrassing' Mindset For Game 5
Although the New York Knicks are one win away from winning the NBA Finals, it doesn't sound like San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson is dealing with any nerves.
The Spurs were dominating Game 4 and even had a 81-52 lead over the Knicks in the second half, and yet, OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson pieced together one of the most miraculous comebacks in the history of sports. They combined for 69 points to give the Knicks a commanding 3-1 series lead.
"The game is not over at halftime, you know, and you just want to continue to chip," Knicks forward Josh Hart said. "You don't look at when you're down 29, we've got to whip this game. You look at it when you're down 29 of OK, let's get it to 20. There's three minutes left in the third quarter. We're down 18, you're thinking, let's get it to 10."
After the Spurs blew the largest lead in NBA finals history, Johnson spoke to the media about his team's mentality. He made it very clear that he hasn't lost confidence.
"By no means am I not acknowledging the Knicks and what they've done and give them credit for playing good basketball," Johnson said. "But we feel like we've decided the outcome of all four games."
NBA fans sound off on Mitch Johnson.
Not only is Johnson's mindset a bit bizarre since the Spurs are on the brink of elimination, it sounds like he's dismissing the Knicks' experience and ability to constantly come up big in crunch time.
"What does this mean coach? That you and your team decided to lose 3 games which you led by double digits late? This is warped mentality bro," one fan replied.
"This is just so freaking embarrassing at this point," a second fan declared.
"I really dislike this mindset. You have to be able to convince your team that the other team is really good and that they are beating you because they've played better. You gotta be the underdog like you were against OKC," another fan said. "They've been too high in their own talent this whole series and I think it's been their downfall."
Game 5 is set for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET. We'll see if the Spurs keep their championship hopes alive.
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 8:33 AM.