Josh Hart entered his name into Knicks playoff lore Friday night.
The gritty guard became the first Knick since Walt Clyde Frazier in 1972 to notch a triple-double in the postseason.
With a black eye from a previous game elbow incident, Hart contributed significantly in the Eastern Conference semifinal Game 6 win, scoring 10 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and delivering 11 assists, with a plus-24 rating during his 33 influential minutes on the court.
“That’s his nature. He influences the game in numerous ways,” remarked coach Tom Thibodeau following the 119-81 triumph over the Celtics. “People often focus on, ‘Well, he didn’t take a shot, or he didn’t do this.’
“But truly, he’s a basketball player, thriving in transition, pace, playing offhand, nailing corner 3s, executing dribble-handoffs, securing offensive rebounds. Defensively, he’s all over the place, pulling down crucial rebounds. His level of effort is truly motivating for the team,” he added.
Hart enjoyed a huge series against the Celtics, averaging 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 37.9 percent from 3-point range.
On Friday, he became the third Knick to post a postseason triple-double, along with Frazier (four times) and Dick McGuire.
The 27-point halftime lead marked the biggest in a postseason game in franchise history.
The Knicks also led by 27 points against the Lakers in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals.
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The Knicks improved to 6-0 this postseason when OG Anunoby scores 20 or more points. … Listed as questionable entering the game with a sprained right ankle, Precious Achiuwa logged nine minutes and scored six points along with three rebounds.
The Celtics switched up their starting lineup for the second straight game in the wake of Jayson Tatum’s absence.
Luke Kornet replaced Kristaps Porzingis, but he didn’t have nearly the same impact as he did in Game 5.
Kornet was held to five points, five rebounds and a block in 21 minutes.
