May 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) walks off the court with a game ball after a series clinching victory against the Philadelphia 76ers in game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers
PHILADELPHIA — Don’t sleep on the New York Knicks.
With a hostile Philly crowd begging their team for a stop, Josh Hart hesitated for just a second after Jalen Brunson passed him the ball from the left wing before Hart realized the 76ers weren’t playing any D on him.
Hart let it fly and it proved to be the game winning shot.
“I was able to get my feet set and just shoot an open uncontested shot,” he said.
The shot sent the New York Knicks past the Philadelphia 76ers 118-115 in Game 6 on Thursday night and into the second round of the playoffs.
But it fittingly was redemption for Hart, who had missed a free throw late in regulation of the Knicks’ collapse against Philadelphia in Game 5.
“I felt that loss was on my shoulders,” Hart said late Thursday night. “So I had a day and a half to think about that, and that’s all I really thought about….So it feels good. After I lost a game for us, I was able to win a game for us.”
The shot won a series for the Knicks. It propelled them to the second round for the second straight season, something no Knick team had done in 24 years. And it was yet another big postseason three from Hart.
Next up for New York? Game 1 – Monday night in New York.
