Just a little Hart to heart.
Josh Hart has been a major puzzle piece to the Knicks, especially so during their playoff run. Whether it's starting or off the bench, the guard has provided a spark for New York — though he did spark a different kind of energy after the Knicks' Game 2 win over Miami.
The Knicks were the beneficiaries of a handful of questionable calls in the closing stages of the game, including a shot clock violation that shouldn't have been and a loose ball foul that maybe came from Hart himself. Some felt like the floor may have been tilted in the Knicks' favor, and Hart didn't allay those fears.
MORE: Why Heat couldn't challenge shot clock violation in Game 2
Cameras caught Hart after the game seemingly thanking referee Scott Foster, himself a common lightning rod of officiating controversy.
Did Hart say “Scott, appreciate ya”? 😭 https://t.co/kJZpXS2joL
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) May 3, 2023
Hart took to Twitter to explain the exchange:
Yup I did. Also told Curtis thanks and Mark thanks. I always thanks the refs after games https://t.co/GPQwAdyKfG
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) May 3, 2023
"Yup I did. Also told Curtis thanks and Mark thanks. I always thanks the refs after games," Hart tweeted, alluding to officials Curtis Blair and Mark Lindsay.
MORE: Jalen Brunson explains 3-point celebration — kind of
The Knicks escaped Madison Square Garden with a gritty 111-105 victory in a game that didn't feature injured Heat superstar Jimmy Butler. The action shifts to Miami on Saturday with the series tied 1-1.
Eyes will be on Hart to see if he continues the pleasantries — and if any Heat players get in on them, too.
