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SAN ANTONIO — Josh Hart delivered a signature performance, making a significant impact on the game without relying on scoring prowess.
Despite being restricted to just seven minutes due to foul issues in the first half, Hart played a pivotal role in the Knicks’ stunning 105-95 comeback victory against the Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday night.
The Knicks surged ahead in the second half, outscoring the Spurs by 17 points, with Hart being a key contributor. He was relentless on the boards, snagging 15 rebounds, and facilitated play with six assists while also showing defensive tenacity with four steals. Hart’s presence was felt in every crucial Knicks run, especially on defense, resulting in a team-high plus-22 rating over 27 minutes, despite shooting just 1-for-5 from the floor.
“That’s just who he is. He’s always been that way. I can’t explain it,” said Jalen Brunson, Hart’s longtime teammate since their college days. “He just has a knack for doing things like that, and in crucial times as well. It’s a credit to who he is as a player.”
Hart expressed frustration over his first-half performance, attributing it to unnecessary fouls he committed. With him on the sidelines, the Knicks found themselves down by seven at halftime. However, the final 24 minutes painted an entirely different picture.
“I had a lot of energy. I think I only played like seven minutes in the first half,” Hart said. “I knew I had to come out, be aggressive. It was just come in and inject energy.”
He certainly helped the Knicks, who rallied from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to extend their franchise-record playoff win streak to 12. Hart has been a key element to this run. On Wednesday, he proved to be pivotal without scoring. As Brunson alluded to, he has a knack for excelling at whatever his team needs.