Should Josh Hart Be Moved to the Bench?
There's been a buzz around the Knicks lately, and it's not coming from within the organization. Fans and analysts are pondering whether Josh Hart should shift to a bench role. The Knicks' starting lineup has seen some struggles in generating consistent offense and defense recently.
For the past two seasons, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges have been penciled in as starters. Hart, however, has been the wildcard.
Last season, during an 0-2 series deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals, Hart was moved to the bench. He started this season there too, under new head coach Mike Brown.
Brown, however, quickly returned Hart to the starting lineup. Games like the one against the Indiana Pacers remind us why. Hart isn't just a connector on the court; he's a force to be reckoned with offensively.
Against the Pacers, with Brunson sidelined due to neck soreness, the Knicks dominated in a 136-110 victory at Madison Square Garden. Hart, often described as a Swiss-army knife, delivered a standout performance with 33 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
Hart's shooting was nearly flawless, hitting 12-of-13 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. His 33 points came in just 26 minutes, allowing him to enjoy much of the second half from the bench.
Coach Mike Brown praised Hart's ability to connect the team, drawing comparisons to the versatile Andre Iguodala. “He’s a great shooter and excels in many areas,” Brown noted. “But most importantly, he connects the group, and having a guy like that to start games is huge.”
Hart's performance ranks as the second-most efficient 30-point game this season, only behind Indiana’s Ivica Zubac. He's also one of the few to score 30-plus points while maintaining 100% accuracy on more than three 3-point attempts in a game, joining former Knick Cameron Payne in this elite club.
Brown highlighted the importance of Hart’s energy and adaptability. “He gives us the connectivity we need in the starting group, doing the little things that don’t always show up in the stats,” Brown said. Hart's contributions go beyond scoring-he's a key playmaker alongside Brunson.
Brown appreciates Hart's role as a secondary playmaker, especially when young point guard Tyler is on the floor. “Josh helps guide him and acts as a great secondary ball handler,” Brown added.
In the same game, OG Anunoby contributed 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 11 rebounds. Jose Alvarado, filling in for Brunson, chipped in with 16 points and 10 assists.
The Knicks showcased impressive ball movement, recording 38 assists on 54 made field goals, and shot 54% from the field, including 44% from deep.
As for the Pacers, no player scored more than 16 points, though all starters hit double figures. Former Knicks lottery pick Obi Toppin added 15 points off the bench.
With two days of rest ahead, the Knicks are gearing up for a cross-bridge rivalry showdown against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. The question remains: should Hart stay in the starting lineup? Based on his recent performance, it's a tough call to move him back to the bench.