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Knicks’ Josh Hart takes blame for ECF loss to Pacers

Originally posted on Empire Sports Media
By Dylan Backer | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 10:23 AM ET

The New York Knicks came up short of reaching the NBA Finals last season when they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. After things went well against the Boston Celtics, everything that could have gone wrong did against Indiana.

Knicks’ Josh Hart deflects blame away from Karl-Anthony Towns for ECF loss

Following the series, a lot of the blame went towards Karl-Anthony Towns. He struggled offensively throughout most of the series, and his interior defense was only worse.

NBA: New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets Jan 21, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) grabs a rebound in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Knicks guard Josh Hart said that he should be the one absorbing the blame for the loss, and not Towns.

“I mean, hey, I think the only one who should get blamed [for the Knicks’ struggles against Indiana] is me. I think I played well in Detroit, played well in Boston. Indiana, I just didn’t have nothing left. I thought [Karl-Anthony Towns] played good. I thought the team played well. I think I didn’t have enough to give. I think, honestly, I should get the brunt of that more than KAT or anyone else. They played hard. They did what they were supposed to do. If they’re blaming him, I think it’s stupidity,” Hart said (h/t Posting and Toasting).

Hart backed up his team

Hart was another player who struggled throughout the series. While he had some strong moments, he wasn’t willing to score nearly enough, and he struggled badly with turnovers.

Hart committed five turnovers in a crucial Game 4 loss to Indiana, and scored just four points in the deciding Game 6. It was clear that fatigue began to settle in after leading the league in minutes per game during the regular season.

NBA: Denver Nuggets at New York Knicks Jan 29, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) argues with referee Rodney Mott (71) after being called for a technical foul during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Hart’s words are a display of accountability, and it’s a good sign to see him back up his team. The Knicks have bigger goals to reach this season, so now is the opportunity to correct what went wrong last year and reach the goals that they have set for this year.

New York will be back on the court in less than two days, as they will begin their preseason on Thursday in Abu Dhabi against the Philadelphia 76ers.

This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.

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