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Knicks on the Verge of Big Josh Hart Decision Amid Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated May 25, 2025 1:27 AM ET

It’s been a rough start to the Eastern Conference Finals for the New York Knicks. After defeating the Detroit Pistons in the first round and pulling off an upset over the Boston Celtics, momentum was on the Knicks’ side as the third seed in the East.

That momentum has quickly faded. Now, the Knicks head to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Sunday night, trailing 2-0 in the series after dropping both home games at Madison Square Garden to the Indiana Pacers.

One player catching much of the blame is guard Josh Hart.

Late Saturday, SNY’s Ian Begley reported that the Knicks are seriously considering a lineup change for Game 3.

"Hearing the Game 3 lineup change being strongly considered by the Knicks is to move Mitchell Robinson to starting lineup and have Josh Hart come off the bench."

Hearing the Game 3 lineup change being strongly considered by the Knicks is to move Mitchell Robinson to starting lineup and have Josh Hart come off the bench. My man @CPTheFanchise said earlier that NYK was strongly considering a change ahead of G3. NYK starting lineup is -50 in…
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 25, 2025

Begley added more context to the decision.

"My man @CPTheFanchise said earlier that NYK was strongly considering a change ahead of G3. NYK starting lineup is -50 in the postseason and -29 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana has a 2-0 series lead and will host the Knicks on Sunday. Based on where things stand currently, Robinson will be starting in that game."

The 30-year-old Hart, a former NCAA Tournament champion from Villanova, joined the Knicks during the 2023 season. His NBA career began when he was drafted as the 30th pick by Utah Jazz in the 2017 NBA Draft. However, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, the team in which he played his first NBA game.

Hart played in 77 regular-season games this year, averaging 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. In the playoffs, his production has dipped slightly.

His best performance of the postseason came in Game 5 of the second round against Boston, where he scored 24 points in 36 minutes during a 127-102 loss.

Inserting Mitchell Robinson into the starting lineup would bring more size and defensive presence to New York’s frontcourt. The 7-footer, a second-round pick in 2018, has spent his entire career with the Knicks.

Robinson averaged 5.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in the regular season. In the playoffs, he’s contributing 4.1 points per game. He logged 29 minutes in Friday’s Game 2 loss, providing solid rim protection and rebounding.

Game 3 is set for Sunday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Game 4 will follow on Tuesday night. If the Knicks can extend the series, Game 5 would return to Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

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

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