Josh Hart averages 14.2 points per game. In the second quarter Monday night, Hart scored 14 points in a row.
With the New York Knicks having trouble getting their second-ranked offense going early in their game with the Washington Wizards, Hart took control. In a stretch of 4:43, Hart scored 17 points and assisted on a Cameron Payne three-pointer as the Knicks turned a seven-point deficit into a seven-point lead.
The run started when Hart hit two three-pointers in a row. Then, after rookie Kyshawn George blocked Miles McBride’s shot, Hart corralled an offensive rebound and made a third straight three.
On a team with All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, Hart is usually a glue guy. He’s the one who does a little bit of everything, whether it’s crashing the boards, ball-hawking on defense or finding open teammates — Hart is second on the team in rebounds, steals and assists.
But Hart will also look for his own shot if the offense is bogging down. Defenses will often shade off him when he’s behind the arc, but he’s shooting 39.6 percent on threes this season and making defenses pay.
The young Washington Wizards were playing fairly good defense when the game began, but they gave Hart too much space. When all the Knicks starters are scoring, they’re a tough team to beat.
