Josh Hart Views Knicks' Shocking Loss in Perspective

Excuses emerged when the New York Knicks' winning streak came to a heartbreaking end on Tuesday, but Josh Hart put things in perspective for all sides.

There are two ways for New York Knicks observers to look at Tuesday's shocking, heartbreaking loss to the lowly Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden, a game whose true impact will be decided over the next few days. 

For New York (39-28), the loss could be either a small hiccup in an otherwise sterling season or a sign of the other shoe falling, a snap back to reality that the modern Knicks are far too familiar with. Either way, Josh Hart's going to be just fine.

Tuesday marked the first loss the Knicks sustained since Hart entered the New York ledgers at the NBA trade deadline. His on-floor prescience already lauded and valued (averaging 11.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 10 games off the bench), Hart displayed verbal leadership in the aftermath of Charlotte's visit, opting to eliminate any potential excuse before it could emerge. 

You can’t teach the things Josh Hart does for a basketball team pic.twitter.com/dOXamU8IhR

— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) February 26, 2023

"We've got to make sure we’re full of energy and lively every time we step on the court," Hart said, per Peter Botte of the New York Post. "I think that was the biggest thing. I don’t think we can blame this on fatigue.”

New York's success has come at a physical price, as the Knicks have played seven games since returning from the All-Star break on Feb. 24. Tuesday's game was their fourth since March tipped off and the schedule maker is doing them no further favors: Thursday sees them open a four-game Western Conference tour in Sacramento (10 p.m. ET, TNT) before dates with the Los Angeles couple fill the weekend. A visit to Hart's former employers in Portland closes things next Tuesday.

Hart, the second-most experienced man in the Knicks' rotation behind Julius Randle, refused to compare what he and his teammates are doing compared to the countless New Yorkers working multiple shifts. 

“It’s a reality, but the reality also is our job is to play basketball,” Hart said. “You got people getting up at 6 a.m. doing 12-hour shifts. Those guys are tired. For us, we’re playing a game and obviously are fortunate enough to play a game.”

The packed schedule comes as the Knicks look to close in on one of the Eastern Conference's automatic six playoff spots. Even with the loss to Charlotte, the Knicks still hold the fifth seed and a solid cushion in obtaining that goal, currently four games up on seventh-place Miami. 

Once Thursday hits, the Knicks will have one month left in their season, one that packs 15 games in that span. The fatigue excuse will get them nowhere, and Hart's metropolitan companions seem to get that, even if they didn't channel his specific example.

“We just ran out of gas, that’s all,” Julius Randle, he of a season-worst 29 percent from the field, said in another report from Botte. “We've got to be better and take care of business. We've got to take care of business, regardless.”

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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