"We have more than enough"- Donte DiVincenzo keeps his composure after Nova alumni Josh Hart's injury
Donte DiVincenzo was still a picture of calm after the New York Knicks lost forward Josh Hart to an injury and Game 6 to the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks went down 116-103 on the night to the Pacers, who forced a Game 7 that will be played at Madison Square Garden next.
Hart was battling abdominal soreness and visible discomfort during Friday's first quarter at Indiana. His midsection was shown covered with medical tape, and Hart later exited the game in the fourth quarter. Later, he was out for the remainder of the matchup.
However, DiVincenzo remained confident that Hart's injury would not be a setback for the Knicks. Notably, the team is the most injured outfit in the postseason:
"It's been our season. We have more than enough, whoever's on the court," he said confidently.
Hart has been a vital cog in the Knicks' defense this season. He has also been one of the more durable players for the team, appearing in all 82 games in the regular season. He finished the game with five points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block in 31 minutes of playing time.
Josh Hart ensured Reggie Miller that Knicks fans were roaring NSFW chants at Pacers legend
The Garden saw profanity-filled chants for Reggie Miller to hear as the former Knicks tormentor and Indiana Pacers legend was greeted with "F*** you" chants throughout the game. Soon after, Josh Hart while speaking to Miller who was calling the game, made sure that he knew that the Knicks fans were calling him out at the end of the Game 2 win:
“I just wanted to make sure he heard what the fans were chanting. I just wanted to make sure.”
Miller had earlier projected immense confidence saying he owned the building, but the crowd was in no mood to relent. There was more to it when Hart decided to make it clear to the former Pacers star that the chants were directed solely at him.
Hart has been prolific for the Knicks, averaging 14.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in the playoffs. His last five games have seen him average 10.8 ppg and 11.0 rpg. He ended his regular season averaging 9.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg and 4.1 apg.
As for the series, Josh Hart and the Knicks began in solid fashion winning the first two games, only to go down in Games 3 and 4. They won the fifth but lost the sixth again. The action now shifts back to New York with both teams meeting on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET in the deciding Game 7.