Knicks’ Josh Hart Praises Jordan Clarkson After Strong Performance
Josh Hart couldn’t help but smile, breaking the rules he set for himself in the process.
What does he think of Jordan Clarkson’s journey so far? Well, he had quite a bit to say.
“I’m not going to say anything negative anymore, but it was incredible,” Hart commented after the Knicks’ 119-102 win against the Wizards at Madison Square Garden. “I really like JC. He’s a skilled scorer. We want him to shoot and stay aggressive; that’s when he shines for us. Defensively, he’s pretty solid. Great on-ball defense, and he’s good at positioning and providing help. Honestly, it’s great to see.”
The Knicks brought Clarkson on board during free agency, hoping he would be the backbone of a revamped bench that aimed to turn previous weaknesses into strengths.
Clarkson has built a reputation as a high-energy scorer who’s not afraid to take risks, though last year didn’t see him make a big impact off the bench for the Knicks. His aggressive long-range shooting is something Coach Mike Brown appreciates in his play style.
This season started off rocky for Clarkson, but he appeared to settle in during back-to-back home games against the Bulls and Wizards. He logged 15 points in each game, shooting 11-of-19 overall and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc.
With how upbeat he seems, it’s likely that some tough moments will still pop up here and there. But the Knicks hope these past couple of games set a new standard moving forward. You can already see his energy rubbing off on his teammates and the crowd at MSG.
“It feels amazing,” Clarkson shared. “The fans, the vibe, just being here and feeling the love is wonderful. I want to keep supporting the team, take open shots, play defense, grab rebounds, and fulfill my role.”
Brown acknowledged that he himself, along with the rotations, may have contributed to Clarkson’s earlier struggles this season. He mentioned that he’s done a better job lately of informing Clarkson and others about their roles and when they’ll be on the court.
As Brown continues figuring out his roster, he hopes to see improvement. “It really benefits the players,” Clarkson added. “Guys like Josh and Mitch have been in and out. We’re still figuring out how to mesh, where we fit, and how to execute defensively. It’s a work in progress, but I think we’re all on the same page.”
For the first time this season, the Knicks report no injuries. However, they might face one of the league’s top scorers soon. Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has been moved to questionable for Wednesday night’s game against the Knicks after missing the last four due to a right hamstring strain.
Originally, it was believed he would be out for about two weeks, so this game comes a little over a week after his injury occurred.
Robinson and Hart are set to play for the Knicks. Robinson missed the initial games of the season due to managing an ankle injury but is now off the injury report, a good sign for the team.
Hart has faced a series of injuries this year, missing the first game due to back spasms and appearing on the injury report earlier this week with a sprained left ankle. He recently disclosed a nerve issue in his shooting hand, adding to the challenges he’s faced.
