Josh Hart Drops 26 Points, 17 Rebounds in Knicks Game 5 Thriller: Must-See Highlights & Locker-Room Reactions

The New York Knicks shook up their starting five ahead of a pivotal Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers, sliding versatile forward Josh Hart to the bench and installing rim-protector Mitchell Robinson at center. Head coach Tom Thibodeau hopes the change will jump-start an offense that sputtered through Games 1 and 2 while tightening the paint defense that allowed Indy to dominate second-chance points. Hart, the glue-guy who started 140 consecutive contests for New York, greeted the news with characteristic positivity. “Whatever helps us win, I’m all for it,” the 30-year-old said after Sunday’s practice. “I prepare to play 40 minutes or four minutes—my job is bringing energy, rebounds, and stops.” Why the Knicks made the switch • Struggles at the arc: New York shot just 28 percent from three in the series’ first two games, often generating one-and-done trips. Robinson’s screen-setting and vertical spacing could free more open looks for Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo. • Paint protection: Indy’s Myles Turner averaged 19.5 points inside, exploiting small-ball lineups where Hart guarded bigger forwards. Robinson’s 7-foot frame gives the Knicks a deterrent at the rim without sacrificing too much mobility. • Bench punch: Moving Hart to the second unit pairs him with Sixth Man finalist Immanuel Quickley, creating a high-tempo duo that can swing momentum while starters rest. Hart’s adaptable skill set Even off the bench, Hart remains integral. The Villanova product ranked second league-wide in total rebounds for guards and finished top-10 in hustle plays during the regular season. His ability to defend positions 1-4, push the break, and crash the glass lets Thibodeau mix and match schemes without burning timeouts for subs. Brunson endorsed the shuffle, calling Hart “the heart of this team, starter or not.” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle echoed that respect, noting Hart’s “relentless motor” still demands scouting-report priority. What this means for Game 3 and beyond 1. Faster rotations: Expect Thibodeau to toggle between traditional lineups with Robinson and small-ball groups featuring Hart at the four, depending on Turner’s minutes. 2. More corner threes: Hart’s downhill drives from the wing often collapse defenses; from the bench unit, he’ll share the floor with shooters like Quentin Grimes, potentially boosting New York’s catch-and-shoot volume. 3. Future flexibility: If the move pays dividends, Hart could become New York’s Swiss-army-knife sixth man long-term—mirroring Bruce Brown’s role during Denver’s 2023 title run—while Robinson anchors the paint. Keys to watch tonight • Rebounding margin: The Knicks were minus-14 on the boards in Game 2. Robinson’s presence should tilt that number, but Hart’s knack for sneaking in from the perimeter remains crucial. • Foul discipline: Hart averages just 2.1 fouls per 36 minutes; Robinson checks in at 3.9. If the big man gets in early trouble, Hart may be thrust back into a heavy workload. • Transition defense: Indiana leads all playoff teams in fast-break points. Hart’s floor-balancing instincts could determine whether New York finally slows Tyrese Haliburton’s open-court wizardry. Bottom line Thibodeau’s gamble is less a demotion for Josh Hart and more an experiment in maximizing match-ups. If Robinson’s shot-blocking and Hart’s energy combine for a Game 3 win, the Knicks could snatch momentum and silence narrative turbulence surrounding their lineup decisions. But should the offense still stagnate, look for New York to revert quickly—Hart is too vital to sit if the scoreboard tilts the wrong way. Either way, fans can count on Hart to bring his trademark hustle, whether he hears his name during pre-game introductions or checks in at the six-minute mark. And in a series where every possession feels like a fistfight, that grit might be what ultimately pushes the Knicks toward their first NBA Finals berth since 1999.