Josh Hart shines to lead Knicks without Jalen Brunson over the Pacers

Knicks Dominate Pacers, Hart Shines Without Brunson

The Knicks found a way to shine even without Jalen Brunson, thanks to the stellar performance of his podcast partner, Josh Hart.

Hart exploded for 33 points in a commanding 136-110 victory over the Pacers at Madison Square Garden, marking his highest score since joining the Knicks three years ago.

In just 26 minutes of play, Hart showcased near perfection, making five of his three-point attempts and shooting 12 of 13 from the field. He didn’t even need to play in the fourth quarter, as the game was pretty much decided by then.

He fell just 11 points short of his career-best 44 points, which he scored in 2022 while with the Trail Blazers. His prior high with New York had been 31.

Coach Mike Brown praised Hart before the game, drawing some interesting parallels. “He really connects the group,” he said. “I’m not saying he’s like Andre Iguodala, but there are some similarities in how he plays.”

This victory marked the Knicks’ fourth win in a row, bringing their record to 45-25. It was their first game without Brunson in two months, as he sat out due to neck tightness, watching from the sidelines.

Jose Alvarado made his first start for the Knicks and added 16 points with 10 assists. It’s worth noting that he had been struggling with his three-point shot, going nine games without hitting one before Tuesday. But he broke that streak, sinking three threes before halftime and finishing 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.

The Knicks gave up 72 points in the first half, with Hart contributing 19 and OG Anunoby adding 18 points. The only player struggling was Mikal Bridges, who twisted his ankle early on, ending the half with just 4 points on 2-of-7 shooting. He managed to score 10 points by the end, shooting 4 of 12 overall.

This season hasn’t been kind to Bridges, and his confidence has seemed shaky since the All-Star break.

Brown tried to offer some reassurance, explaining that periods like this are part of the game. “You find ways to get the ball in the hoop—by getting out in transition, grabbing offensive boards, and attacking the rim,” he noted. Some days just throw you off rhythm, and that’s alright.

Even though Bridges was off his game, the rest of the Knicks found their rhythm.

The Pacers, struggling this season with a record of 15-54, were without their star player Tyrese Haliburton and second-best Pascal Siakam, who also missed the game due to a knee issue. Still, they came out with intensity, possibly fueled by the rivalry from recent playoff matchups.