The New York Knicks beat the Indiana Pacers 121-117 in the first game of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. The officials blew some critical calls in the final minutes. Jalen Brunson once again put on a show, scoring 43 to make it four straight playoff games of at least 40 points. But don’t forget about Josh Hart.
It’s easy to bury him under the poor officiating and Brunson’s brilliance, but an argument can be made that Hart was the most valuable player on the floor in New York’s Game 1 win. In fact, he may be the most valuable player the Knicks have had all postseason.
You could use the “his impact doesn’t show up on the stat sheet” cliche, but it does. A few simple ones prove Hart’s worth to New York’s postseason run; a run that has them three wins away from a conference finals appearance.
Josh Hart is the New York Knicks’ playoff MVP, not Jalen Brunson
Brunson gets the love, and deservedly so. He’s put the Knicks on his back offensively and has repeatedly hit tough shots in clutch moments. New York wouldn’t be where it is without the 27-year-old’s affinity for the dramatic. His 43-point, six-assist performance in the win over the Pacers made him the first player in NBA history to score at least 40 points and dish out at least five assists in four straight playoff games.
But again – don’t forget about Josh Hart.
Hart has been indispensable to what the Knicks have accomplished in these playoffs. He had an impactful game of his own against Indiana, going for 24 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and three steals while playing all 48 minutes. It’s the third time in seven postseason games Hart has gone the distance.
But playing every second of multiple high-stress playoff games isn’t even what sets the 6-foot-4 guard apart from his teammates, Brunson included.
Hart is one of two players to average at least 17 points, 12 rebounds and five assists this postseason. The other? Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
But the former Villanova guard – again, the guard averaging double-digit rebounds – is also playing the most minutes (46.6) of anyone in the playoffs and is shooting 44.7 percent from three.
New York ranks first in offensive rebounds this postseason (13.6 per game), mostly because Hart is pulling down 3.7 per night, which is tied for fourth, again with Jokic.
Yes, Brunson is the Knicks’ best player. But Hart’s contributions can’t be overstated and his impact can’t be underrated. He may not be the most talented, but he’s the most valuable player New York has had so far this postseason.
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