Josh Hart and Jordan Clarkson are the NBA’s new favorite duo
The NBA brings out unexpected friendships every season, but few take the spotlight like the new bond between New York Knicks guard Josh Hart and veteran sixth man Jordan Clarkson. What started out as a playful trash talk quickly turned into the league’s newest and possibly funniest friendly duo.
The moment that started it all went viral. During a heated matchup, Clarkson fouled out and, on his way to the bench, crumpled up Hart’s printed stat sheet and tossed it aside. That streak could have caused tension. Instead, it elicited laughter.
Hart, never shy when it comes to personalityhe threw his headband right at Clarkson in response. The crowd erupted. The broadcast crew broke up. And so is Clarkson.
“He’s always on me,” Clarkson said later. grinning as he recalled the moment. “He made me laugh. I was a bit upset, but he understood me well.”
What follows is a surprising chemistry, not only as competitors, but as personalities who read the game and the vibes in the locker room the same way.
Hart, known throughout the league for his hustle, bouncing off the fullback spot, and never taking himself too seriously, he found something of a comic foil in Clarkson, a smooth-batted sparkplug whose confidence and looseness defined his career.
Their stats this season don’t scream “major duo” on paper. Clarkson is averaging 9.1 points per game in 16.3 minutes while shooting 44.8% from the field. Hart averaged 8.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in eight games while winning and filling gaps like only he can. But numbers aren’t what this relationship is about.
It’s about joy. It’s about energy. These are two veterans who have seen enough pressure in the NBA to know when to breathe.
For a Knicks team going through a competitive Eastern Conference slate, that’s important. Chemistry is important. Ease is important.
And if the Knicks are going to make another postseason run, the relationship between Josh Hart and Jordan Clarkson could be more than just a great clip from the locker room.
Maybe it’s glue.
The duo of friends we didn’t know we needed might as well be the one New York didn’t know it needed.
2025-11-10 15:51:00
