Coming into the NBA playoffs, the New York Knicks were sporting the second seed and home-court advantage, but they had the tough challenge of facing the Philadelphia 76ers, who had gotten reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid back on the floor and were firing on all cylinders ahead of the postseason.
With Embiid back in the fold, the 76ers were expected to give the Knicks a run for their money, especially with New York not having star forward Julius Randle for the entire NBA playoffs.
Fortunately, the Knicks were also locked in heading into the postseason, with star guard Jalen Brunson playing at a high level and his teammates following his lead.
Along with Brunson proving to be the team’s undisputed leader, Josh Hart has also proven to be invaluable to the Knicks, with ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins calling him the “heart and soul” of the team, via NBA on ESPN.
“Josh Hart has been the heart and soul of this team,” Perkins said.
“Josh Hart has been the heart and soul of this team.”@kendrickperkins on Hart’s performance 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4sMuSQ8AFr
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 23, 2024
With Hart helping his team excel during the playoffs, the Knicks now have a 2-0 series lead over the 76ers and look like a team that is destined to advance to the second round of the postseason to face either the Milwaukee Bucks or Indiana Pacers.
Although anything can happen from here on out in the playoffs, the Knicks have shown a lot of heart and could be poised for a deep run in the postseason and perhaps might be the toughest challenge for the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.
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