Josh Hart, a former national champion, has been a key player for the New York Knicks since his arrival in 2023. Despite never reaching the playoffs, Hart remains confident about the team's consistency and focus on advancing in the next round. Since reuniting with Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have made the second round in four consecutive seasons, marking the first time since Patrick Ewing's final seasons with the team. Hart was a key figure in the team’s victory over Philadelphia in the first round, ranking second on the team in scoring (16.8) and assists (4.5), while also leading the team with rebounds (12.3), shooting 43.2 percent on 3-pointers and recording 1.0 blocks.