Heading into Tuesday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks were in the midst of a tough news cycle. They were coming off an embarrassing 27-point loss to the defending champion Celtics, casting more doubt over their contender status. To make matters worse, several players were nursing injuries or missing games, furthering the concerns about their ability to hoist the trophy.
Mitchell Robinson has been out for nearly a calendar year, OG Anunoby should be missing until after the All-Star Break, and Karl-Anthony Towns was banged up in multiple areas. However, the headline was Josh Hart‘s knee injury, which has popped up regularly but hasn’t held him out yet. Luckily for the Knicks, in classic Hart fashion, he dismissed the injury and delivered a career night.
Is Josh Hart the Knicks’ 3rd-Best Player?
In a game where Jalen Brunson picked up his fifth foul early in the third quarter and played just 23 minutes, New York needed other players to carry the scoring load. Towns was cooking throughout, dropping 40 points on 14-23 shooting to lead NY to victory. With Mikal Bridges having one of his worst games as a Knick and Anunoby still sitting, Hart stepped up to be the second option, posting a ridiculous 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals on 12-16 from the field.
The Villanova product did his work in the paint, making 11 layups and just one three. Hart showcased all of his best abilities en route to a season-high in points: crashing the offensive glass, pushing in transition, and cutting to the rim. Once again, he reminded us that he’s arguably the league’s best finisher below 6-foot-6 in addition to his many other skills. This incredible performance made me wonder if Hart is actually the Knicks’ third-best player, despite usually being considered the fifth option.
Josh Hart tonight
30 points
10 rebounds
5 assists
12-16 FGThat’s my PF man
pic.twitter.com/sRFvgu2Lnc— Teg
(@IQfor3) February 12, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Hart Could be the Third-Most Valuable Player on the Team
Hart’s value to the Knicks comes down to his versatile skill set. He’s on the perfect team for his abilities, and Tom Thibodeau is the quintessential coach to harness them. There’s a reason he’s reached a new level as a player since being traded to New York in 2023. On the season, he’s averaging 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.6 steals on a staggering 56% from the field and 64.7% true shooting. These numbers rank fifth, second, second, and first on the team. He’s also their most efficient scorer who has played extended minutes this year.
With all that said, Hart’s positive effect on the Knicks is not about numbers at all. Most fans associate Brunson’s arrival in New York with the turnaround, as well as Anunoby, Thibodeau, or even Julius Randle, and rightly so. However, Hart coming over for the 2023 playoff push and signing a four-year extension is one of the most important developments in Knicks history. Since they acquired him in February 2023, they are 100-58 and have won two playoff series.
There’s a reason for this success, and none of it is quantifiable with stats. Hart is truly a one-of-a-kind player who does everything in his power to help the team win. Whether it is hustling for loose balls, crashing the glass like a madman every possession, or talking trash to the opponent or their fans, Hart’s presence on the floor invigorates the Knicks. He’s the best under 6-foot-8 rebounder in basketball, which says it all about his heart. He’s Thibodeau’s dream player. To top it off, he’s been an incredible playoff performer in his two chances with New York, posting 12.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on solid efficiency.
Hart, Bridges, or Anunoby?
It’s important to note that each of the other three Knicks starters is indispensable to the team. Each does specific things that New York cannot win without, meaning one injury could doom their playoff hopes. Anunoby is the Knicks’ best defender, capable of shutting down the opponent’s best wing, operating as a help man, or even guarding a center like Joel Embiid. He’s also an excellent off-ball scorer and has some shot creation ability.
Bridges is New York’s matchup for the opponent’s scoring guard, with the quickness to navigate screens and contain the ball. Anunoby’s biggest weakness on that end is speedy ball-handlers. Offensively, Bridges is the clear third option and can play on and off the ball. While Hart isn’t nearly the defender that the other two are, he helps NY so much on the margins. As mentioned before, he’s their best in every hustle category, the top rebounder of the three, and the most efficient inside scorer. Hart is also clearly the most capable playmaker of the three.
Again, it’s hard to rank Bridges, Anunoby, and Hart based on value to the Knicks because all three are irreplaceable. However, I would lean towards Hart because he embodies the culture that’s been built in New York. He’s won games, played through injury, and been there for nearly every game in his Knicks tenure. There’s a reason a former career role player has become a fan favorite in just two years.
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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