The New York Knicks secured a thrilling 108-105 overtime victory against the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals, with Josh Hart’s all-round performance attracting a lot of attention.
Hart’s 14-point and 11-rebound stat line may not jump off the page anytime soon, but his efficiency and hustle proved pivotal in the Knicks’ upset victory.
Josh Hart scored 55.6% off the field while gathering offensive rebounds from Team High 5. He also contributed two steels, violated one sales and introduced two-way value in a high-pressure playoff environment.
Knicks legend Bernard King didn’t hesitate to praise Hart’s tenacity. “He’s just a tenacious and tough guy. He knows the game and how to play.”
“I saw him in that first game, he’s under the offensive rebound under the basket,” King said during a podcast appearance with Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell.
Maxwell, despite Boston’s loyalty, was forced to praise the play of Hart. “Josh Hart, I really admire how he plays. He’s a weird beast,” Maxwell admitted.
Hart’s gritty performance helped the Knicks establish an unexpected 1-0 series lead, dramatically raising expectations for both players and teams, both on the team heading for Game 2.
The Knicks as a whole shot 45.9% of the fierce shot from beyond the arc of Game 1, but at the same time they limited the normal sharp Celtics to just 25% from the 3-point range.
King understood the momentum shift and predicted a game 2 matchup would be much more demanding. “I know what happens when I give my team life and confidence. I’m hoping for a higher level in Game 2,” he warned.
“We know you won’t miss a 40 three-point shot, it’s much more competitive,” King adds, suggesting that the Celtics are likely to find their shot.
The emergence of Hart as a maker of playoff differences did not come at a better time for the Knicks. His blue-collar approach perfectly complements New York’s physical style play, giving the underdog a chance to fight the highly advantageous Celtics as the series progresses.