The New York Knicks hit a bump in the road in their latest showdown with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite a monster 40-point night from Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks couldn’t quite find their footing down the stretch. It wasn’t just the scoreboard that told the story - the frustration on the court was palpable, especially from veteran guard Josh Hart.
Coming off the high of capturing the NBA Cup, the Knicks have been riding a wave of mixed results - splitting their next four games with two wins and two losses. This latest outing against Minnesota offered both a challenge and a glimpse of potential. Alongside Towns’ dominant performance, Mikal Bridges chipped in 15 points and rookie Tyler Kolek added 20, showing flashes of the kind of depth the Knicks are hoping to develop as the season progresses.
But one moment from the game has made more noise than the box score. A clip that’s been making the rounds shows Hart yelling at teammate Mohamed Diawara during a sluggish substitution. As Diawara hesitated to exit the floor, Hart didn’t hold back, shouting, “Off the court!” - a clear sign of his intensity and desire to keep things sharp in a tightly contested game.
That kind of fire is part of what makes Hart such a key piece of this Knicks roster, especially with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby sidelined due to injuries. With those two out, the leadership load has fallen more heavily on Hart and Towns - and they’re embracing it.
Hart’s influence goes beyond his hustle and defensive grit. He’s also been putting in serious work behind the scenes to sharpen his offensive game.
“I’m working with Pete [Kevin McCullar Jr.] every day on my shot,” Hart said. “It was something vital for me - having a shooting coach here on staff that I could work with consistently.
I had one before, but he was based in L.A., and I was playing 38 minutes a game. It was tough to focus on the mechanics.”
Now, with daily reps and a renewed focus on fundamentals, Hart’s shooting has taken a leap - nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc. That kind of efficiency has been a game-changer for the Knicks’ offense, giving them a reliable perimeter threat and helping to stretch the floor for Towns and Bridges to operate.
As the Knicks prepare to host the Cleveland Cavaliers, they’ll need every ounce of that focus and fire. With injuries still thinning the rotation, the margin for error is slim. But if Hart’s leadership and the team’s growing chemistry are any indication, the Knicks aren’t backing down from the challenge - they’re leaning into it.