Josh Hart took responsibility for the Knicks‘ tough loss to Chicago on Wednesday night, notes Ian Begley of SNY.tv (via Twitter).
“It should have been a big statement win for us,” Hart said (YouTube link). “It was the first win where we really got hit and really started to swing back…. I gotta be better. This one is on my shoulders.”
Hart fouled Bulls guard Coby White on a three-point attempt with 3.2 seconds remaining and the Knicks up two (YouTube link). White went on to convert all three free throws, and then Jalen Brunson‘s potential game-winning turnaround jumper over Patrick Williams spun in and out.
Hart, 29, is in the first season of a four-year, $80.9MM extension that features a team option for 2027/28. He recorded six points, eight rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes on Wednesday.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- New York trailed by as many 22 points in the second half on Wednesday before retaking the lead. Big man Karl-Anthony Towns had an excellent offensive game, finishing with a season-high 46 points, going 18-of-30 from the floor and 6-of-12 from long distance. But he was unhappy about finishing 4-of-8 on free throws, including two consecutive misfires midway through the fourth quarter and the Knicks trailing by one, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post. “If I make a few of those free throws, at least two or three of them, you put your team in a different position,” said Towns, who got in some extra practice at the charity stripe after the loss.
- Head coach Tom Thibodeau provided a minor injury update on forward/center Precious Achiuwa prior to Wednesday’s game, Botte adds. Achiuwa, who has yet to make his season debut after suffering a left hamstring strain in preseason, still hasn’t been cleared to practice.
- While Wednesday’s loss was obviously disappointing, it was still a positive that Brunson was able to suit up after sustaining a minor ankle injury in Tuesday’s win in Philadelphia, Botte notes in another story for The Post. Brunson, Miles McBride (knee) and Cameron Payne (hamstring) were all questionable heading into Wednesday’s contest, but all three wound up playing.
- Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Sports+ link) shares his takeaways for the early portion of the Knicks’ season, with the club currently holding a 5-6 record.
Hart’s foul was no worse than Brunson’s on the prior CHI possession. Brunson’s the same player he was last season, generally, but he just hasn’t had the touch in the closing minutes which sort of defined him last year.
As good as the NYK offense has looked at times this year, the closing group still lacks the chemistry needed to excel in the closing minutes. The only way to develop that is finishing close games together. That experience is about the only positive they can take from the game on the offensive end. Defensively, however, when they started to play, played some of their best minutes. All in all, though, flush it. They have 3 very winnable home games in the next 3. Chemistry will come when it does, but last night’s effort can’t reappear for awhile.
I watched that play over and over. He never touched him. He brushed his hair barely when White fell back. Any shooter who sees a defender coming at him. Will go towards contact. White missed Hart and then swung his right arm towards Hart. It looks like contact maybe. But if you watch it. No contact.
Now it was a dumb play. Just stay away. Really shouldn’t have let him get that look. But I’m ok with the call. Cause it was dumb by Hart.
Bench brought them back. IMO the bench should have closed it out. They earned it.
Agreed. But the way the NBA “interprets” the rule now, the hair would count, if contact with it was before the ball left his hand. I couldn’t tell.
If you were taking a jump shot and you felt someone brush the back of your hair while in the air, would it impact the shot? IDK, I don’t enough hair for it to have ever been an issue.
Ah the feel of a Timberwolves team from half a decade ago…
KAT putting up massive numbers in a loss…
You got no clue …….
Towns is playing. His D is not where we need it yet. But I see a big change in attitude and commitment. And for me more important. NY and his family are making an impact on his play. He’s just going to get better. I’m starting to see a big year for him. And this team is not about a stat monger. So this is great news for Knick nation.
Like I’ve been saying. Precious addresses our issues right away. I want him to start.
Besides the rim protection, team D, rebounding. Thibs needs to get his act together with his bench. It’s not about who’s not here. Or when they will be back. Knicks need to start putting wins together. Forget the noise and fanaticism. Knicks have to play to win. To do that. We need to play 8-10 players. Don’t wear out your starters by all star break. Time to trust the bench you got. And manage it intelligently. Let’s not get carried away in the negative. Or get full of ourselves with small successes.
KAT, Brunson, Bridges have to carry the scoring load. Jalen has to look for them first. Cause he as the PG can always get his shot. Thibs needs to get on top of this. To me a tight rotation is a form of panic. It’s freaking ten gms. Play the players you need to. This is the time to do this. Losing with more bench time. Is the same as losing with a tight rotation. Let’s do this ……. NYK
It’s definitely a disappointment so far this season. I was expecting better from my team. It’s early, but they need to play better.