San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson blinked when the lights were brightest, as the crowd inside the Frost Bank Center watched the New York Knicks steal Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
San Antonio’s late-game collapse and Johnson’s baffling rotation choice sparked fury online after the Spurs lost 105-95.
How Mitch Johnson’s Decision Cost San Antonio Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Spurs rookie Dylan Harper spent the most important moment of Game 1 watching from the bench as his team squandered away the momentum to the Knicks. San Antonio had clawed back from an 8-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take a 1-point lead with just over 2 minutes remaining.
Harper was a difference-maker, playing with a much-needed level of pace and aggression while recording 16 points and 8 rebounds on 6-of-10 shooting in just 28 minutes.
However, much to the dismay of the San Antonio faithful, Johnson kept Harper on the bench during the decisive closing stretch.
Fans and analysts torched Johnson’s decision on social media, with the consensus labeling it a needless blunder.
“some coaches in the nba are so strange. they swear by certain players when they clearly have a better option on the bench. why the f**k did de’aaron fox play 38 minutes while dylan harper was going off? coaching malpractice, man. in the f**king nba finals of all places,” one user posted.
some coaches in the nba are so strange. they swear by certain players when they clearly have a better option on the bench. why the fuck did de’aaron fox play 38 minutes while dylan harper was going off? coaching malpractice, man. in the fucking nba finals of all places.
— conny (@BlvckJxsus) June 4, 2026
“Closing this game with Fox over Harper one of the worst coaching decisions I’ve ever seen,” another user wrote.
“Why was Dylan Harper benched in a 1-point game with 4 minutes left? If I’m him I’m disgusted,” LegionHoops wrote.
Why was Dylan Harper benched in a 1-point game with 4 minutes left? If I’m him I’m disgusted.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 4, 2026
“Dylan Harper needs to take the Fox minutes moving forward in this series. Harper should be playing near 40,” Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor remarked.
Dylan Harper needs to take the Fox minutes moving forward in this series. Harper should be playing near 40.
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 4, 2026
“Benching Harper down the stretch was a decision,” PHLY Sports reporter Kyle Neubeck wrote.
“don’t understand Harper not closing over Vassell or Fox,” another user wondered.
don’t understand Harper not closing over Vassell or Fox
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) June 4, 2026
In contrast to Harper, De’Aaron Fox struggled throughout Game 1, logging 38 minutes but managing just 7 points on a dismal 3-for-13 shooting from the floor. He missed all 4 of his 3-point attempts and turned the ball over 3 times.
Without Harper on the floor, the Spurs grew painfully predictable. The offense stagnated as Victor Wembanyama looked visibly exhausted trying to carry the load.
New York seized the opportunity when San Antonio’s momentum stalled.
KEEP READING: ‘Horrible!’ — Dylan Harper’s Father, 5-Time NBA Champion Ron Harper, Calls Out Officials After Spurs’ Game 1 Loss in Finals
The Knicks closed the game on a decisive 11-0 run over the final 2 minutes, with Jalen Brunson dropping a game-high 30 points to slam the door on the home team.
Karl-Anthony Towns bullied his way to 18 points and 12 rebounds. Josh Hart was an absolute nuisance on the glass, pulling down 15 rebounds and recording 4 steals in 27 minutes.
With an 0-1 deficit and Game 2 looming Friday night, San Antonio’s blueprint needs to account for late-game strategy and offensive production from Wemby and Co. to bounce back.
