Josh Hart is doing what Josh Hart does best-bringing energy, honesty, and a little humor to a Knicks team that could use all three right now. Whether he’s crashing the boards or crashing interviews, Hart continues to be one of the most engaging personalities in the league. And in a season where the Knicks are trying to find their rhythm, his voice is cutting through the noise.
Take his recent quip about the budding Knicks-Sixers rivalry. When asked if Philadelphia feels like a true rival, Hart didn’t miss a beat: “I think the NBA wants me to say ‘yeah’… I guess it’s rivalry week, so YEAH, they’re our rivals.”
Classic Hart-tongue-in-cheek, but still giving fans something to latch onto. And while the Knicks have dropped both matchups to the Sixers this season, the tension between these two teams is starting to simmer.
Their next meeting at Wells Fargo Center could turn up the heat.
But behind the jokes and jabs, Hart’s also offering some candid insight into where the Knicks stand right now. And the truth?
It’s been a bumpy stretch. New York has won just three of their last 12 games, and while they’re still holding the fourth seed in the East at 26-18, that cushion is starting to feel a little less comfortable.
One of the more pressing concerns is the play of Karl-Anthony Towns. The big man was brought in to be a game-changer, especially on the offensive end, but so far, the fit hasn’t been seamless. Hart didn’t shy away from addressing it.
“It’s a little different,” he said when comparing Towns’ role this season to last. “We’re basketball players, we’ve got to be able to adapt to different situations.
Coaches have to adapt to their players, and we have to adapt to coaches. There’s a good middle ground.
Sometimes, we’re still trying to figure that out.”
That’s about as honest as it gets. Hart’s not throwing anyone under the bus, but he’s acknowledging what’s plain to see: the chemistry isn’t quite there yet.
He added, “He’s a good offensive player, he’s going to figure that out - we’ve got to make sure we focus on defense. I don’t want to hear too much about his touches, I want to hear about him blocking shots.”
It’s a pointed reminder that this team’s identity can’t be built on scoring alone. Defense has to be the foundation, especially in the East, where every possession matters and playoff seeding can swing on a single stop. Hart’s comments suggest the team knows that-they’re just still working on putting it all together.
For now, the Knicks are trying to navigate a rough patch without losing their edge. Hart’s ability to keep things light while speaking truth is invaluable. He’s not just a glue guy on the court-he’s a voice in the locker room that balances accountability with perspective.
And with the Sixers looming again, the timing couldn’t be better. Rivalry week or not, New York needs to find its footing. If they do, and if Towns can settle into a two-way role that complements the rest of the roster, the Knicks could still make a serious push in the second half of the season.
Until then, Josh Hart will keep doing what he does-competing hard, speaking up, and keeping things real.