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Knicks fans need to thank their lucky stars for Villanova, Jay Wright

By Jordanna Clark

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 15: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dive for a loose ball during the fourth quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 101-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 15: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dive for a loose ball during the fourth quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 15, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 101-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Three months ago, New York Knicks fans had no idea that Josh Hart was about to come into their lives. Many fans were hoping that the front office would make a few moves leading up to the deadline, but instead, Leon Rose sent Cam Reddish, Svi Mykhailiuk, Ryan Arcidiacono, and a protected first-round pick to the Trail Blazers for Josh Hart. That was it.

New York is Hart’s fourth team since he was in drafted in 2017. The past two trade deadlines, Hart has found himself on the move. However, with a player option looming for 2023-24, he’s been vocal about his desire to remain in NYC. Fans were already in love with Hart’s fit on the Knicks before his playoff debut, but if there was any doubt about whether or not the front office should commit to signing Hart to a new contract this summer, that doubt was erased in his playoff debut.

Between Jalen Brunson and Hart, Knicks fans have a newfound love for the Villanova basketball program. Brunson played in only nine minutes in the first half after picking up his third foul early in the second quarter, but he finished with 27 points and came up huge down the wire. Meanwhile, Hart posted 17 points and 10 rebounds in 33 minutes off the bench.

The Villanova Knicks came up huge down the stretch in Game 1 playoff win

There were several Knicks that had great games, including Julius Randle as he made his return to the court after spraining his left ankle at the end of March. However, Brunson and Hart stole the show down the stretch. From Brunson’s clutch shots to Hart’s hustle on both ends of the floor, the Villanova duo stood out.

When Brunson found out that the Knicks traded for Hart back in February, his reaction was priceless. The teammate that he won a 2016 national title with at Villanova would be playing alongside him in New York, but even Brunson likely didn’t know just how much of an impact Hart would have on the Knicks.

Thank you to Villanova and Jay Wright for putting Brunson and Hart on the map back in college. Thank you again to Dallas for letting Brunson walk and thank you to Portland for sending Hart to New York. Knicks fans are indebted to you all.

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