Janice R. Andrews
Josh Hart did something out of the ordinary in the final moments of Game 7: he moved slowly. The usually unflappable iron man, who was leading the 2024 postseason in minutes played and was dealing with an abdominal ailment from Game 6, fouled out during a fierce rebounding contest versus Indiana Pacers player Andrew Nembhard. The 19,812-person sold-out Madison Square Garden erupted in screams of his name as he made his way to the Knicks bench, demonstrating his tenacity and dedication.
“I wanted a home, so I came here last year,” Hart thought to himself. Even though the Pacers defeated him 130-109, his effort demonstrated his commitment. “The only way I can repay [the fans and team] is to put my body on the line, give everything I have, and leave my heart on that court.”
Hart spent a moment with OG Anunoby on his way to the bench. Since his late-December acquisition, the Knicks have been strong contenders. Before suffering a hamstring injury that prevented him from playing in Games 3-6 of the second-round series, Anunoby led the team to a 26-5 record. Anunoby’s injury prevented him from performing at his best even though he returned for Game 7, which is why Coach Tom Thibodeau benched him after only four minutes.
“I didn’t want to risk it, the way he was moving,” Thibodeau said, putting Anunoby’s well-being ahead of the remote possibility of a miracle comeback.
Julius Randle, the two-time All-Star power forward out since January, sat down next to Hart. The Knicks were plagued by injuries, so Randle’s absence was felt deeply. Bojan Bogdanović and Mitchell Robinson were absent from the court as they recovered from operations that ended their seasons.
The crucial incident occurred in the third quarter when superstar point guard Jalen Brunson of the Knicks hurt his hand. Brunson said, “I thought I just jammed it,” but his game and season were over when it was discovered that he had a fractured left hand.
The Knicks looked on Donte DiVincenzo and Alec Burks to sustain the attack in the absence of their captain. The Knicks had optimism thanks to DiVincenzo’s 39 points, but it was insufficient to stop the Pacers’ incredible shooting display. Tyrese Haliburton, an All-Star point guard for the Pacers, finished the Knicks’ season with a winning total of 26 points.
Coach Thibodeau showed pride in his squad despite the defeat. “I thought guys gave everything they had, and that’s all you could ask,” he replied. The Knicks had accomplished important first-round series victories, their first 50-win season in 11 years, and Jalen Brunson’s ascent to MVP and All-Star status.
But Brunson was not quite pleased. “Have we taken home the title? Did we come close? Thus, no,” he said. His attention is still on making constant progress and aiming for excellence.
But Hart believes that the future is bright. “I think there’s hope for what we’re building,” he stated. Anunoby and center Isaiah Hartenstein will probably be headed into free agency, so the Knicks will have to make some important decisions over the offseason. It will cost money to keep them on board, but doing so is necessary to keep the club moving forward.
Brunson is one of the players whose contract can be extended. Brunson may re-sign for a four-year contract worth $165.5 million, but his current four-year, $104 million deal is a steal. While Thibodeau conveyed his wish to remain with the Knicks and emphasized the mutual respect between him and the team, Brunson sidestepped queries on his future.
The future of the Knicks appears bright. They have two first-round selections in the next draft, a squad of tough guys that match Thibodeau’s coaching philosophy, and a point guard who is an All-NBA player. The franchise has a great chance to expand on its current success with this base.
As he looked back on the season, Brunson recognized the team’s progress. He stated, “We just need to make more.” The Knicks have a solid foundation in place and are prepared for a bright future. They can fulfill their potential and keep moving forward in their quest for a title.
