Josh Hart’s Impact on the Knicks
New York has a reputation for overshadowing past greats, like Oakland’s Reggie Jackson and Edmonton’s Mark Messier. It’s easy to overlook that Josh Hart spent parts of seven seasons with three different teams—the Lakers, Pelicans, and Trail Blazers—before his pivotal trade to the Knicks in 2023.
Before joining New York, Hart hadn’t experienced playoff action.
Since reuniting with Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have made it to the second round for four consecutive seasons, marking the first time since the end of Patrick Ewing’s tenure (1997-2000).
So, what does this mean for Hart, who once won a national championship?
“Honestly, it’s not a big deal,” Hart shared ahead of Game 1 in the semifinal series against the 76ers. “We don’t have individual or team goals mapped out in terms of advancing series. It really feels irrelevant. What’s crucial is focusing on what’s next in this series.”
In 2024, Hart played a significant role in helping the Knicks defeat Philadelphia in the first round.
While Brunson’s performance stood out at 35.5 points per game and Donte DiVincenzo made his mark with a clutch 3-pointer in Game 2, Hart was the one tirelessly contributing. He logged in 16.8 points, 4.5 assists, and led the team in rebounds with 12.3 while shooting 43.2 percent from the floor.
To wrap up that series, Hart, a fan favorite, grabbed seven crucial rebounds in the fourth quarter and nailed a game-sealing 3-pointer in the final moments of Game 6 after the 76ers had dominated them, daring to take a wide-open shot.
“Growing up, playing basketball, you fantasize about these moments, and preparing for them is essential,” Hart reflected after the series. “Those are the moments that really excite me, charged with energy and competitiveness.”
It’s been a tough couple of weeks, and I can’t quite remember when my heart felt this alive.
In the first round against the Hawks, Hart averaged 10.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals, shooting 41.1 percent from the field while sinking 5 out of 23 from beyond the arc.
During the regular season, against the 76ers, Hart struggled a bit, hitting just 32 percent from the field in three matchups.
Nevertheless, this multi-talented guard, who managed a career-high 41.3 percent from three-point range this season, might find himself with more chances in the second round, especially with the focus on players like Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby.
“If things continue as they have, I expect a bunch of catch-and-shoot scenarios,” Hart said. “I need to head out there and take my shots with confidence. I believe I can shoot, and I trust my training.”
