BOSTON — The Knicks had barely begun their second-round series with the Celtics before they required Josh Hart’s most valuable trait.
Before the series, it was noted Hart has been the Knicks’ stabilizer and confidence booster when they are struggling and on the ropes.
And that it would be pivotal against the defending champions, who are sure to rip off big runs throughout the series.
Well, one quickly emerged in Game 1 as the Celtics went on a 31-11 run in the second quarter.
The Knicks looked ready to capitulate and move on to Game 2.
The Celtics looked every bit like the heavy favorite they are in the series.
But there was Hart, doing what he does best.
“We’ve been here before,” he told his teammates, referencing all the runs and deficits the Knicks overcame in the first round against the Pistons.
Then, he was a leader on the court with his energy. And his teammates responded, coming back from down 20 points in their 108-105 overtime win Monday night at TD Garden.
“I think for me it’s always how can I find a way to spark this team. Whether that’s knocking down a shot, making a defensive play, a rebound, you know, pushing in transition, getting an offensive rebound for an extra shot,” Hart said Tuesday. “That’s just kind of what I’m trying to find throughout the game, especially when you go down by double digits, you go down by 20. You’re just trying to find something to spark that team.
“That’s my job, just kind of run around like a madman and inspire these guys and get them going. I just try to find plays where that can happen. Obviously it’s a little bit easier when you’re down 20 to find those plays because they’re all over the place. That’s just kind of my role and I embrace that.”
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Hart finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Five of Hart’s 11 rebounds were on the offensive glass.
“I thought Josh Hart really impacted the game with his offensive rebounding, which got them extra possessions, especially when they got closer in the game,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Tuesday after practice. “Details and execution on the simple things, you gotta be better at those.”
On the defensive end, the Celtics shot just 4-for-16 from the field and 1-for-12 from 3-point range when Hart was the primary defender, per NBA.com’s tracking stats.
“That’s just who he is,” Jalen Brunson said after the game. “He’s going to find a way to run around and do things. The way he brings that energy night in and night out, it’s just contagious. When he does that, he helps us to be a better team. We feed off that energy and it propels us to come back from down 20.”
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