New year, same Josh Hart.
The do-it-all guard was at his best again for the Knicks in Wednesday's 119-103 win over the Jazz at Madison Square Garden, posting a triple-double for a second straight game.
With his 15 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists, Hart became the first Knick to post consecutive triple-doubles since Michael Ray Richardson in 1981.
It was also the fifth time in franchise history that a player accomplished this feat in consecutive games.
The performance was all the more valuable as the Knicks were shorthanded, particularly at guard.
They played their first game of the season without Jalen Brunson, who sat out with calf tightness.
And after Miles McBride was initially announced as Brunson's replacement in the starting lineup, he was scratched due to a hamstring strain suffered during warmups.
Hart did his part to make up for that, while continuing to play an increased role in initiating the offense and moving the ball up the field.
Although veteran guard Cam Payne ended up starting at point guard in place of Brunson – and McBride – Hart helped run the show.
With the Knicks missing two point guards, Hart said he opened the game more passively when it came to chasing his own score — focusing more on setting up his teammates.
Hart was also in charge of the offense at times during his previous stops in Portland and New Orleans, but he's embraced it more with the Knicks now that he's become one of the main cogs in the team. 'offensive.
-“I always did it a little [and] Over the last two or three years, I've become more comfortable with the number of times I've done it,” Hart said.
When asked before Brunson was ruled out if his unavailability would impact Hart's approach to the game, Hart replied: “It doesn't change mine at all.” My approach is always to go out there and make the right play. Whether the guys are there or not, it doesn't matter to me.
He also finished strong, with a thunderous two-handed dunk in the lane in the fourth quarter.
He's shooting better from 3-point range this season, but what stands out even more is his nearly 70% mark on 2-point field goals.
This was supported by his ability to attack the rim, as he did on Wednesday.
“The last few years I've struggled with my shooting,” said Hart, who shot a career-low 31.0 percent from 3-point range a year ago. “You have to do something, don't you?” I must have the strength if I don’t knock down the 3.”
With the presence of Karl-Anthony Towns, Hart said it opened up spaces for him to be even more aggressive.
“With [Towns] by spacing the court, I know I’ll be able to get to the rim,” Hart said.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau has previously praised Hart's ability to control the offense in an effort to take pressure off Brunson, even when he's healthy.
“He’s been doing it since he’s been here,” Thibodeau said. “I like the way Josh [plays] due to his rebounding and ability to push the ball. I think these are the hardest fast breaks to stop. So we want as many easy baskets as possible. I want as many layups as possible. And I think he helps launch that.
