New York Knicks List Josh Hart as Doubtful in Game 2

Hart Knocks Down Huge Trey in Game 1

Hart shot an astonishing 51.9% from 3-point range in his 25 appearances with the Knicks this season. He didn t take many 3-pointers, but he knocked down more than half of his attempts.

Hart shot 8-for-11 from the field, including a sizzling 7-9 from inside the 3-point line. He finished Game 1 with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and one steal. He also outscored the entire Cavs bench, 17-14.

Hart attempted only two 3-pointers in Game 1, but connected on one huge trey late in the fourth quarter. The Knicks blew an 8-point lead with 4:30 to go in the game when the Cavs unleashed a 9-0 run during a two-minute span. With time expiring on the shot clock, Hart drilled a step-back three-pointer to put the Knicks ahead 95-93.

Big-time shot, bruh, said Brunson. Right place. Right time. Big shot.

Thibodeau leaned on Hart in Game 1, and he logged 33 minutes of action off the bench. Starting power forward , who missed the last two weeks of the season with an ankle injury, is the only member of the Knicks who tallied more minutes (34) than Hart.

BIG TIME JOSH HART

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The Knicks are the fourth NBA team that Hart has been with since he left Villanova. The Utah Jazz selected Hart with a late first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft before the Los Angeles Lakers acquired him in a draft-day trade.

Hart started 45 games in his first two seasons with the Lakers and averaged 7.9 points per game. The Lakers shipped Hart to the New Orleans Pelicans in a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis.

In 2.5 seasons in New Orleans, Hart averaged 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. The Pelicans traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers midway through the 2021-22 season.

Hart averaged a career-high 11.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game with the Trail Blazers before he was traded once again.

The Knicks acquired Hart prior to the 2023 NBA trade deadline in a complex, four-team trade with the Trail Blazers. Hart was reunited with former Villanova teammate Jalen Brunson. The two won the NCAA men s basketball championship with Villanova in 2016.

Hart established himself as a defensive stopper off the bench for the Knicks, which quickly won over fans at Madison Square Garden. He instantly meshed with the Knicks second unit that includes , Obi Toppin, and Isaiah Hartenstein. In 25 games with the Knicks this season, Hart averaged 9.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.

Since Hart joined the Knicks at the trade deadline, they are 18-8 overall.