Josh Hart’s hysterical reaction to the notion that the 76ers are a rival
The NBA has advertised this week as Rivalry Week based on certain matchups. The New York Knicks dominated the Brooklyn Nets 120-66and the Philadelphia 76ers are next. Historically, the 76ers and Knicks are division foes, and have had some classic matchups as a result, but just how real that rivalry is has been up for debate, and rightly so. Josh Hart feels.
When speaking to the media after the 76ers swept the Nets, Josh Hart was asked directly if he considered the 76ers a rival, and his answer was not final. He mentioned the NBA and how they might want him to say yes. However, he said playing in the playoffs recently is contributing to that.
“I think the NBA wants me to say ‘yes’ … I guess it’s rivalry week, so YES, they’re our rivals,” Hart said as he anticipated their matchup on Saturday.
The win over Brooklyn was a huge step in the right direction for the Knicks after losing four straight games leading up to it. They have also lost nine of their last 11 games, and that spiral led to a reported “players-only meeting.”
However, Hart also clarified that meeting. He said they didn’t have one, despite their response to the Nets loss.
We didn’t have a players-only meeting,” Hart said, via Christian Winfield of the New York Daily News. “You’re all dragging it out. I’m just saying we didn’t have a players-only meeting. I don’t know who said it, who did all that, but we didn’t have a players-only meeting. We talked, but it wasn’t like a … thing. That backfired. We didn’t have a players-only meeting.”
Hart is the vocal leader of the Knicks and does a little bit of everything for them, so whether or not they had a date, something clearly clicked. This season, Hart is averaging 12 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 49.8% from the field.
Regardless of whether the game against the 76ers is a rivalry game or not, Hart and the Knicks will have extra motivation after the way they beat Brooklyn.
2026-01-23 21:58:00
