Tireless in his ability to put his fingerprints on a game, even in one in which he played 46 of a possible 48 minutes, Josh Hart’s ability to discover a second wind put the New York Knicks on the path to a special destination: the second round. Positioned along the top of the key and poised to make the opposition pay for overcommitting to his teammate’s drive, Hart prepares himself for a chance to break both the late-game tie, and ironically, the Philadelphia 76ers’ hearts. First opting for a high-IQ pass fake to force Tyrese Maxey into rethinking his help defense rotation, Hart elevates, draining a game-deciding 3-pointer, supplying the Knicks with a lead they would never again relinquish. From a career-best six triple-doubles in 2023-24 to his evolution as a knockdown 3-point shooter throughout the postseason, Hart’s adaptability and versatility again proved useful in the series-clinching Game Six victory on May 2, 2024. The do-it-all swingman left no stone unturned, tallying up 16 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and three 3-pointers, a gritty performance that helped propel the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the second consecutive season. · May 3, 2024