NEW YORK — On a New York Knicks squad that has maintained a serious approach throughout the NBA playoffs, Josh Hart serves as the team’s primary source of humor.
However, there was little to find amusing early in Thursday’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, as Hart failed to connect on three consecutive three-point attempts, extending his playoff shooting struggles. His anger was visible as he repeatedly slammed the basketball down, questioning why his practice performance wasn’t carrying over to game situations.
“I’m just like, bro, it’s not translating right now,” Hart commented while eating a slice from the pizza box he brought to his postgame press conference.
His fellow players — especially those who also played alongside him at Villanova — remained confident that his hard work would eventually show results.
“I know we joke around a lot about his practice habits, but he does work hard,” Jalen Brunson commented.
Hart’s breakthrough came with five successful three-pointers and a playoff personal-best 26 points, helping the Knicks secure a decisive 109-93 win over Cleveland that puts them just two victories away from reaching their first NBA Finals since 1999. He left the court to enthusiastic applause from fans, a stark contrast to two nights earlier when he spent most of New York’s fourth-quarter rally from a 22-point deficit on the sideline.
Despite all his contributions to the Knicks, keeping Hart in the lineup during that previous game proved challenging. The Cavaliers, similar to several NBA franchises, consider the forward’s perimeter shooting among the vulnerabilities in an otherwise strong starting five featuring All-Stars Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, often assigning their center to defend him. He understands he’ll get open looks from distance because opposing teams prefer that option.
Understanding this dynamic, Hart dedicated extra effort to perfecting his shooting mechanics before Game 2.
“When you have guys that are gamers, they do stuff that people don’t think that they can do at any time,” Knicks coach Mike Brown explained. “And he knows the work that he puts in, we know the work that he puts in, and his confidence is not going to waver. He’s going to put pressure on himself to take that next one and make that next one.”
Hart entered the contest converting only 26.7% of his three-point attempts during the playoffs, making the defensive strategy of giving him space statistically logical — though Hart shouldn’t be evaluated based purely on statistics.
“I’m never a huge analytics guy,” Hart stated. “At a certain point they’re a lamppost to a drunk person. You can lean on them, but it won’t get you home.”
While Towns, sitting beside him at the press table, took off his sunglasses to look at Hart with confusion, Hart clarified that the saying came from Jay Wright, his former coach at Villanova.
Hart, who was slightly older than Brunson and Mikal Bridges, became the primary offensive weapon during his final years with the Wildcats. Following their 2016 NCAA championship victory, he posted a career-best 18.7 points per game while shooting 40.4% from three-point range and earning Big East player of the year honors as a senior.
While Brunson now handles the primary scoring responsibilities, Hart’s importance to the Knicks stems from his numerous other contributions. He’s played a significant role in defending Cavs All-Star Donovan Mitchell, and his defensive rebounding ability, despite standing just 6-foot-4, enables the Knicks to quickly transition up court.
“He’s the perfect example for any basketball player who wants to learn how to truly impact the winning of a team and he does that at the highest level,” Towns observed. “What he does not only talentwise but mentally for our team, when he goes out there, he’s hustling, he’s playing that hard, you feel like you’ve got to match his intensity.”
On evenings like Thursday, Hart can make opposing teams pay for challenging him to shoot. Similar to his performance two years ago in the opening round, when he knocked down the series-deciding three-pointer against Philadelphia in Game 6.
Therefore, Brunson, who recorded a playoff career-high 14 assists in Game 2, will continue seeking him out.
“I mean, I’m really not trying to look for him. He just happens to be open, so I give him the ball,” Brunson said with a grin reminiscent of his teammate. “I have the utmost confidence in him, watching the things he does and after practice with his routine and everything. He works hard.”
