Knicks' Josh Hart Made a Genius Pass to Himself Off a Defender’s Back Before Knocking Down Big Shot vs. Celtics

Josh Hart smartly threw a pass to himself off of Jrue Holiday's back.

Knicks swingman Josh Hart had his best game of the season on Monday night against the Celtics, thanks in part to a clever play he made in the fourth quarter. 

With R.J. Barrett sidelined due to a migraine, Hart earned his third start of the season and took full advantage of the opportunity, scoring a season-high 16 points. He knocked down three of his six three-point attempts, including one that’ll end up on his career highlight reel. 

Boston Celtics fans celebrate after forward Jayson Tatum hit a 3-pointer against the New York Knicks in the second half at TD Garden.  / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Early in the fourth quarter, Jalen Brunson found Hart open in the corner, but Celtics guard Jrue Holiday did an excellent job closing down on Hart to deny the open look at a three. So what did Hart do? Force up the shot anyway? Make a hurried pass? No, in mid air, he aborted the shot attempt, threw the ball off Holiday’s back and caught the ricochet before collecting himself for an uncontested three. 

How? 🤯 What? Count it! 👌@joshhart pic.twitter.com/U7qOK6f8yT

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 14, 2023

Here it is from another angle. 

Josh Hart is genius for this man lol pic.twitter.com/H07k7LBnLf

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) November 14, 2023

That takes brains, coordination and—perhaps most of all—guts to pull off. It’s the kind of play you usually only see in streetball. And the game was still close when it happened. Hart’s three cut the Celtics’ lead to 91–85. If he had messed up his gutsy play, it could have not only embarrassing for him but costly for his team. Boston went on to win handily, 114–98, but at least the Knicks got a cool highlight out of it.