Josh Hart pulls off Kevin Hart's comic timing while reacting to Jalen Brunson's 8 of 26 shooting night
New York Knicks wingman Josh Hart channeled his inner Kevin Hart when he reacted to All-Star teammate Jalen Brunson's dismal 8-of-26 shooting in the opening game of their best-of-seven NBA first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers at home on Saturday.
Brunson struggled to find his mark all game long, going 1-of-6 from three-point land, yet he still wound up as the top-scorer for his team with 22 points, in addition to seven rebounds and seven assists. More importantly, they drew first blood in the series, winning 111-104.
In the postgame press conference, Hart who was also his college teammate in Villanova, was asked about Brunson's poor shooting clip in Game One against the Sixers. The 29-year-old wing hilariously reacted with:
"DAMN"
The reaction is similar to that of comedian Kevin Hart a couple of years ago during a sit-down interview with actor Don Cheadle. When the Jumanji star learned that Cheadle was 56 years old, he blurted the now-famous phrase, "Damn!"
Good thing for the Knicks, despite the struggle that Brunson had on the offensive end, other players picked up their production. Josh Hart, for one, also had 22 points, along with 13 rebounds. Miles McBride had 21 points while Bojan Bogdanovic had 13 and OG Anunoby scored 11 points.
Jalen Brunson vows to be better after struggling in Game One
New York Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson acknowledged his struggles in Game One of their best-of-seven NBA first-round playoff series and vowed to be better in their succeeding games.
While he still ended up with a team-high 22 points in their 11-104 victory, he struggled mightily from the field given that he also had five turnovers.
In the postgame press conference, the 27-year-old former Villanova Wildcat spoke about his shooting, highlighting how the Sixers did a good job getting him out of his game.
Jalen Brunson said, by way of the Daily News:
"It was great defense, and they had a great game plan. I've got to go back to the drawing board and be better."
The Knicks used a spirited charge in the second quarter to turn the tables on the Sixers. After trailing 34-25 at the end of the first 12 minutes, New York outscored Philadelphia in the second frame with a score of 33-12, to hold a 58-46 advantage at the break.
The visitors, however, bounced back with a 36-point third quarter, led by guards Kyle Lowry and Tyrese Maxey, to help their team take an 82-79 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
But Josh Hart took charge in the fourth, scoring 13 of his 22 points in the quarter to rally his team and overtake the Sixers on their way to the victory.
Game Two of the Knicks-Sixers series is on Monday in New York.