Josh Hart praised Jalen Brunson’s late-game heroics and the team’s collective resolve after the New York Knicks edged the Detroit Pistons 116-113 to close out their first-round series on Thursday night.
Brunson, who scored 40 points, buried a step-back three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to silence the Detroit crowd and send the Knicks to the second round.
Hart didn’t hold back in his assessment of the All-Star guard’s final shot, calling it “a great move” and joking that if it hadn’t gone in, “we probably would have fought.”
“He’s Clutch Player of the Year for a reason,” Hart said. “Feels good to move on.”
While Brunson delivered the finishing blow, Hart emphasized the importance of team contributions, singling out Mikal Bridges for his hustle.
“Huge shout out to Mikal, man,” Hart said. “The shot wasn’t falling this series, but he was doing everything else. His defense was amazing. Thirty seconds left, he had one of the biggest plays with that effort tip.”
New York’s starting five combined for 110 of the team’s 116 points, including 25 from Bridges and 22 from OG Anunoby, who knocked down four threes.
Hart, who finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, played most of the fourth quarter with five fouls, navigating the final stretch with disciplined defense.
“Just trying to be a little smarter,” he said. “I can’t be as aggressive as I want, but I still try to make those hustle plays.”
The Knicks were up 112-105 with under three minutes left before Brunson sparked a comeback, scoring five straight to flip the momentum.
Detroit had a chance to tie the game in the final second, but Malik Beasley mishandled a pass from Dennis Schroder, ending the Pistons’ season.
Hart credited Detroit’s competitiveness and the atmosphere in Little Caesars Arena, but said the Knicks’ mental toughness made the difference.
“Everyone likes to paint us as not [tough], but we’re a tough, physical group,” Hart said. “It was a grueling series, and we showed our physicality and our mental toughness.”
Despite nearly letting another road opportunity slip away like they did in Game 6 last season, the Knicks stayed composed.
“We tricked off Game 5 last year, tricked off Game 6 this year,” Hart added. “We got to clinch a playoff series at home and give the fans that satisfaction.”
Asked about the emotion of winning on the road, Hart called it “one of the best feelings in sports,” noting the satisfaction of silencing a hostile crowd.
New York advances to face the second-seeded Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, starting Monday.
“We know that’s going to be a test,” Hart said. “They were the champs last year. But we’re confident in ourselves. We’re growing.”
The Knicks are four wins away from their first conference finals appearance since 2000.
