One play perfectly summarized the decade-long friendship of New York Knicks guards Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo
With the game tied at 111, Hart hesitated for just a second after Brunson passed him the ball from the left wing. Josh realized the Philadelphia 76ers weren’t playing any D on him, faked a pass to DiVincenzo and made a decision.
Left alone at the top of the arc, Hart let it fly.
“I was able to get my feet set and just shoot an open uncontested shot,” Hart said of his clutch go-ahead triple with 24.4 seconds left in the Knicks’ thrilling 118-115 Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers to advance into the Eastern Conference semis.
“It’s amazing. We have a great friendship. We are like brothers,” Hart said of his friendship with Brunson and DiVincenzo.
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2024
Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart & Jalen Brunson share the podium following their Game 6 win to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals 🗣? #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel
The trio combined for 80 points, 21 rebounds, and 26 assists in a series-clinching road win. Since their college days as Wildcats, the three scrapped their way on both offense and defense for a grind-out win.
“On the court, you have the ability to bring everybody together, make adjustments, have that open line of communication, nobody taking offense. Everybody’s goal here is to win,” DiVincenzo said while playing with his former collegiate teammates in the NBA.
Brunson, who led the squad with a 41-point, 12-assist game, emphasized their mindset against a not-so-normal seventh-seed squad like the Sixers.
Jalen Brunson wouldn't be denied in the @nyknicks Game 6 win to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals!
— NBA (@NBA) May 3, 2024
🗽 41 PTS
🗽 12 AST
🗽 3 3PM
🗽 13-27 FGM
Jalen Brunson is the FIRST KNICK EVER to average 30+ PPG and 8+ APG in a Playoff series 👏 #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google… pic.twitter.com/o72091MfRO
“No matter what the situation is, we’re going to attack it. No matter who’s in front of us, we’re gonna grind. We just found ways to win.”
Hart added: “They are a really good team. They really have good players and they’re well-coached. They’re not a normal seventh seed. We know it’s a uphill battle. But the thing about this group is no matter what the adversity, we’ve had it all year long.”
Back in the city where they shared an unforgettable college career, Hart expected a rigorous environment but felt at “home” thriving in a close-out game.
“It felt great. We knew this is [Philadelphia] going to be a tough environment. We knew it was going to be a battle… a grind. You got to give them [Sixers] credit. It was a tough series, tough place to play, but a place we were’ all comfortable with.”
Up next for the Knicks are the Pacers, whom they had a storied playoff rivalry dating back to the 1990’s.
