You Gotta Have Hart: Silver Spring Native Helps Knicks Advance in NBA Playoffs

Josh Hart, a 6-foot-4 guard on the New York Knicks and native of Silver Spring, helped the team eliminate the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday night and advance to the NBA’s Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Villanova alum is known for his hustle and rebounding, but nailed a clutch three pointer in the final minute of the deciding Game 6.

Hart briefly attended Wheaton High School before transferring to Sidwell Friends School. There, Hart earned first team All-Met honors and chose Villanova over Rutgers and Penn State.

Hart was a member of Villanova’s 2016 NCAA championship team. The Utah Jazz drafted Hart 30th overall in 2017 and immediately traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers. He has also played with the New Orleans Pelicans and the Portland Trailblazers.

The 2023-24 season was Hart’s ninth in the NBA and second with the Knicks. He averaged 9.4 points, 4.1 assists, and a career-high 8.3 rebounds per game.

Hart also notched the first six triple doubles of his career this season.

In the opening round series, Philadelphia looked to limit the opportunities for Knicks star Jalen Brunson by leaving perceived non-scoring threats like Hart open on several occasions. Hart answered the bell, scoring 16.8 points per game on 43.2% shooting from three, far above his season average of 31.0%. He also averaged 12.3 rebounds in the series.

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