Two years back, during the playoffs, Josh Hart became a key player when the Knicks went up against the 76ers.
Philadelphia heavily relied on Joel Embiid for perimeter shooting, while Hart managed an impressive 43.6 percent from three-point range on 6.2 attempts per game.
Hart seems eager for the 76ers to use a similar strategy this time around.
“Every series has its own dynamics. In Atlanta, we didn’t really get many catch-and-shoot chances,” Hart noted on Sunday, just before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal between the Knicks and 76ers. “Most of my threes came off the bounce or right before the shot clock expired. This series, I expect it to be different. If it’s like the last time, I should have a lot of catch-and-shoot opportunities. I just have to step up and shoot confidently. I know I’m a good shooter; I believe in my training.”
“And when I’m not shooting, it’s about setting screens—off-ball or on-ball—and making smart decisions.”
Despite struggling with his three-point shooting in the Hawks series, where he hit just 21.7 percent, Hart had a solid regular season, boasting a 41.3 percent average on 3.7 attempts per game.
It’s possible the 76ers will look to exploit him again in the playoffs, just like they did the last time.
The 76ers roster has some familiar faces. Reserve guard Quentin Grimes started his career with the Knicks, playing three seasons before being traded to the Pistons in February 2024, in a deal that also involved veterans Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
Rookie VJ Edgecomb played two years at Long Island Lutheran and then spent a season at Baylor.
In the series against the Celtics, the 6-foot-4 guard from the Bahamas showed his potential, averaging 15.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and three assists.
On the coaching side, Philadelphia also has assistant coach Rico Hines, who previously assisted at St. John’s under Steve Lavin from 2010 to 2015.
