New York Knicks Josh Hart Responds To Rick Carlisle Comments

New York Knicks postseason star Josh Hart was one of the players caught in the crosshairs of Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle after Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Carlise, who blew a gasket near the end of the game, was ejected and used his post-game press conference as a chance to call out the NBA and the referee crews.

Rick Carlisle believes his Indiana Pacers squad is at a disadvantage playing against the New York Knicks because they are a small-market team. He insinuated calls were being made in favor of their opponents as a result, as the Pacers filed a complaint with the league that included 78 clips of calls the team believed were missed or incorrect in Games 1 and 2.

It wasn’t a message that his players agreed with, as T.J. McConnell and Tyrese Haliburton both appreciated Rick Carlisle sticking up for the team. But, at the end of the day, it wasn’t the referees who gave up 151 points to the New York Knicks in two games, as their game plan needs to change.

One of the plays that ticked off Carlisle was during a semi-transition play. Haliburton was dribbling the ball and Josh Hart looked to push him, but no call was made and the play continued.

Earlier on Friday, before the teams take the court for Game 3, Josh Hart was asked about some of the comments Carlisle made. He has experience playing on small market clubs, the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers, as big markets with the Los Angeles Lakers and Knicks. He doesn’t believe there is any truth to the claims Carlisle is making.

“F— no, that’s so stupid bro. You’re going to say the big market always wins? The Knicks haven’t won a championship in 51 years, so obviously that doesn’t hold much weight. I don’t fully understand that.

Sorry, New York, for the reminder.

It’s idiotic. At the end of the day, it’s who is playing the best. I’ve never seen a ref shoot a free throw or make a three or miss a rotation,” Hart said, via Knicks Videos on X.