Josh Hart is playing through the pain and hopes the adrenaline rush from the crowd and the moment will help him.
“I think it helps. I think it’s just getting the blood flowing better. The competitiveness is going to help,” Hart said Sunday before Game 7. They can play a lot of things, but look like they got hit by a car when the clock hits zero. So I think that’s definitely part of it and it’s a blessing to have this game at the Garden and you know they’re going to bring it. ”
Hart, who suffered an abdominal strain on Friday, started Sunday’s Game 7 against the Pacers. He was clearly in pain, even wincing when putting on his socks before the game, but warmed up before he was announced to be in the starting lineup.
“Game 7 at the Garden,” Hart said. “When I went into the game (Game 6), it was always, ‘What do I have to do to play?'” That’s my mindset. …At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what I think, it depends on how effective I can be. And if I don’t, I have to give others that opportunity. ”
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Hart explained how he sustained the injury in Game 6, was asked to leave the game, and was removed in the second half.
“The play was an 18-20 mark. I think (Indiana’s Andrew) Nembhardt was looking to box out,” Hart said. “It wasn’t a big push, but it gave me a little bit of a push. I don’t know what happened. After that, I felt some pain and discomfort.
“(There were a few moments during the game when I knew I wasn’t doing it right.) Even though I know in my head that I should do this and that, physically I can’t do it. That’s obviously a frustrating part of the game.
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Is he suffering?
“Next question,” Hart said.
Despite the injury, all of Hart’s teammates expressed confidence that he will play in his first Game 7 at MSG since 1995.
“I think they know I’m going to do everything I can to go out and play,” Hart said. “As long as I’m out there playing, I’m fine and I’m going to give 100 percent what I got. That’s the love I had for them.”
