On June 13, Beijing time, Game 5 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for June 14. The Knicks hold a 3-1 series lead over the Spurs, needing only one more victory to claim the title. During today's G5 Media Day, head coach Mike Brown and players Brunson, Towns, Anunoby, Bridges, and Hart participated in interviews. The key points are as follows—

Brunson Interview

On what allows the team to stay close and steady themselves

It comes down to the team's mindset, the trust we have in each other, and our confidence.

On the Knicks fans traveling for Game 5 on the road

Words cannot fully express my gratitude. I truly appreciate every single fan.

On the core qualities that enable success on any basketball court

My parents taught me from a young age never to fear failure. I spent every offseason working on my game to be ready for challenges. When the opportunity comes, you won't be afraid—even if you fail, you can learn and grow from it. The daily grind behind the scenes gives you confidence when the spotlight is on.

That's the life lesson my parents gave me, and every coach I've had along the way has helped me refine that mindset. It all started with my family, and I'm incredibly grateful for that.

On whether his mindset feels different being one win away from the championship

I'm keeping a calm mindset, treating the series as 0-0.

On how to maintain composure in the Finals

I know this is a rare opportunity, so my mentality can't be exactly the same as usual. But I stick to the same routines and preparation habits I've had throughout my career. Following that process gets me ready when game time comes. Also, I have close friends around me who keep me grounded, and I value that deeply.

On moving on from Game 4's result

Whether we win or lose, I naturally review the game that night and think about what went right or wrong. But I always tell myself to turn the page the next day. We still have a lot of work to do. We didn't play our best last game, so we have to look at the issues and avoid falling into the same traps again.

On outside criticism of Karl-Anthony Towns' career

From a teammate's perspective, he's made so many sacrifices. His entire career speaks for itself—he's a future Hall of Famer. I cherish every moment I get to play alongside him. He's not only an incredible player but also an impeccable teammate. I wonder how he'll react hearing me say all this.

Anunoby Interview

On the messages he received after making the game-winning putback

A lot of people texted me congratulations, including my former teammates in Toronto. They're all happy for me.

On hitting a shot that will go down in Knicks history

It feels amazing. Everyone tells me how significant this play is, and I really feel that myself. Being part of an iconic moment—I'm full of gratitude. It's just wonderful.

On how many messages he got after the game

I didn't count, but there were countless messages.

On what separates good players from elite ones

Off the court, I study game film and prepare thoroughly. On the court, I'm always in the gym working on my skills, trying to improve year-round. I always push myself to get better. I also value every opportunity—the hard work I put in daily allows me to seize the moment when it comes.

On feeling the support from Knicks fans at a road Game 5

Fan support is crucial for us. We have the best fans in the world. They travel all the way to support us, and their cheers are loud and passionate. We can truly feel that energy and draw motivation from it.

On the shot being called "OG Hand" and compared to Maradona's iconic moment

Maradona is a legend. That kind of nickname and comparison is both fun and special for me. It makes this shot even more iconic.

Towns Interview

On where Anunoby's game-winner ranks in New York sports history

This shot is a true "Hand of God"—and interestingly, the word "God" contains "OG." This play definitely belongs among the great New York sports moments. I think of Derek Jeter's right-field home run, Plaxico Burress and David Tyree making key catches. It's up there as one of the greatest moments in New York sports history.

I talked to Anunoby about it, but he's always reserved, so it's hard to tell if he fully grasps the significance. It's a glorious moment, a highlight in New York sports, but we still need one more win to make it truly count.

On maintaining a do-or-die mentality in a close-out game

We have to treat every game as a fresh start, with the score at 0-0. We need to play with the same desperation as in Game 1 of the playoffs, without any slack. Our discipline in executing the game plan also needs to reach a new level. Games where you can eliminate an opponent are always the toughest.

On his development as a playmaker

To win, you have to put pressure on the defense and keep them off balance. Basketball is already physically demanding, and if you constantly force the opponent to think, they'll get more tired as the game goes on, giving us better looks.

Not everyone is an elite shooter, but crisp passing and smart offensive schemes can create good opportunities. Especially when the ball goes inside and everyone moves, the defense tends to break down. I've always enjoyed passing—getting assists and seeing my teammates score brings me great joy. When I score, only one person is happy; when I assist, two people share the joy. That's the key to winning.

On the support from Knicks fans on the road

Playing an away game with a home-court atmosphere is an incredible experience. Knicks fans are amazing—no matter where we play, they cheer with all their might. Even during the preseason in Abu Dhabi, tons of fans flew there to turn that away game into our home.

Our fans are one of a kind. When we're struggling and things aren't clicking on the court, their passion, love, and support help us get through it and bring the team back together. They're our secret weapon.

On team president Leon Rose's contributions

Anyone who knows the sports agency business understands that it's all about relationships and connections. Leon's greatest strength is his sincerity and his ability to maintain genuine bonds. That's exactly why the whole team feels like a family.

He has always believed in the idea of "team as family." That's why, no matter how far behind we are, the team stays united every night. When you're family, no one wants to let their teammates down. For us, supporting each other and giving our all is the only goal. Outside voices or circumstances don't matter—our teammates are everything.

When a team truly trusts each other like family, there's no goal that can't be achieved.

Bridges Interview

On moving on from the Game 4 loss

It's not hard for us. As players, we know the job isn't finished, and we're ready.

On similarities between this journey and winning the NCAA title at Villanova

Coach Wright taught us how to win and what it takes to get there. Knowing how difficult it is to reach this point and secure victories has helped us. It's surreal to still be playing alongside former college teammates, but we still have goals to accomplish—this is far from enough.

On how Brunson has changed from college to the pros

Since coming to New York, his game has matured and his style has evolved. His scoring has steadily improved, and I'm playing more off the ball. He's become a top scorer, which benefits the whole team—the defense can't relax against him. He always tries to make the right decision, and I trust him completely.

I've known his traits since college: a talented player who sometimes takes tough shots even when defended tightly. That's often the right call for him and for the team.

On hearing Knicks fans cheer on the road

It feels great. You can tell the fans are committed to the team and genuinely want victory. I'm sincerely grateful for their support. Very few teams in the league have a fan base like this. I feel lucky to be on this team and to have these fans.

Hart Interview

On not putting up flashy stats every game

Coach Jay Wright always emphasized developing competitive spirit and teaching us to do the little things that don't show up in the stat sheet. That's true for a lot of Villanova guys in the league. The habits I developed over four years in college have stuck with me.

On past success closing out series and how to handle the Spurs' strong first-quarter starts

We have to come out focused, pay attention to details, and compete possession by possession. If we play our style, we have a chance to win. We can't keep falling behind and fighting back. Last game and even the previous three wins, we managed to come back. Next game, we need to start strong.

On his time with the Knicks

I've been in the league for nine years. In the six and a half years before coming to New York, I bounced between three teams and six head coaches—always unsettled. I wanted a stable home, and New York embraced me. First with Coach Thibodeau, and now with Coach Brown.

This city has accepted my style of play and who I am. Here, I can give my all. New York values toughness and hard work, and the people are hardworking—and so am I. Finding a sense of belonging here means a lot to me, and I hope it continues.

On the impact of guards and wings crashing the offensive glass

Offensive rebounds create great scoring opportunities for shooters. Getting second-chance possessions and changing the momentum of the game through offensive boards is crucial.

Besides Brunson, Alvarado, and McBride, we have many wings with good size and physicality, and Mitch Robinson is an elite offensive rebounder. Grabbing offensive boards and generating extra possessions not only boosts our winning chances but also limits the opponent's fast-break attack.

On the team's strong chemistry

Team cohesion is priceless. Take last game, for example: I missed a layup, then we fouled, and I fell down, feeling frustrated. Right away, Brunson, Towns, and Alvarado came over to pick me up, and Shamet from the bench yelled encouragement for me to get up.

When a team supports each other like that in tough moments, that's what a championship team looks like. With a group this united, no matter what difficulties we face on the court, we can overcome them together.

On how to respond to the Spurs' first-half scoring runs

Falling behind actually helps us refocus on our game plan. Most of the time when we're down, it's because of a lack of focus and poor attention to detail. That's a good time to call a timeout, tighten up, and get back on track. Strong teams always steady themselves and return to their style—and we're no different.

Mike Brown Interview

On the team's ability to stay focused in close-out games

It comes from the team's mature mindset. We have a lot of veterans, but even veterans can get restless. This group, from top to bottom, is composed and grounded, and that quality rubs off on everyone.

On how the team stays locked in throughout the game

Focus is a necessary trait. We only concentrate on the present moment, playing each possession. That's especially true against strong teams—if you keep thinking about the final outcome, your mind starts to wander.

On the difficulty of maintaining a do-or-die mentality after winning Game 4

It's definitely not easy. We're all human. Even if you sweep a series, after winning multiple games in a row, it's natural to let your guard down a bit.

We try everything to help the players stay focused. Patrick Ewing is often around the team, and he can talk to the guys from different angles and lift their spirits. Especially right after a win, his presence and guidance are a huge help.

On Landry Shamet's journey to this stage

Seeing him perform now, I'm genuinely happy for him. He's missed opportunities and been overlooked many times, but now he's on the biggest stage in basketball, proving himself.

This achievement is entirely the result of his hard work, step by step. His story is like a life lesson: you may miss promotions or opportunities in life, but if you keep working and believing, when the chance finally comes, you'll have your moment to shine. His story goes beyond basketball—it's a powerful lesson for everyone.