The New York Knicks faced a tough challenge on Tuesday night when they took on the Indiana Pacers without star guard Jalen Brunson. That's where his podcast co-host and Knicks teammate Josh Hart decided to step in.
Brunson was ruled out of Tuesday's game against the Pacers due to a right ankle injury and a cervical strain, having been marked as 'questionable' in the morning and 'out' before the contest.
Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart, who has worn multiple hats for the organization since arriving in 2022, stepped up in a big way with 30 points, 33 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, while shooting 12 of 13 from the field and 5 of 5 from beyond the arc.
According to Stathead, Hart became the first player Had 30 points, five rebounds, five assists and five made three-pointers while shooting 80 percent or better from the floor, the first in NBA history.
Josh Hart is the first player in NBA history
30+ pts
5+ REB
5+ AST
5+ 3p
90+ FG%In a game. pic.twitter.com/IjrSOmLFOj
- Statmuse (@statmuse) 18 March 2026
The only players who have come very close to recording that kind of statline and efficiency are Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul. Leonard recorded 45 points, five rebounds, five assists and six three-pointers while shooting 75 percent from the field in the Clippers' home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last week. Paul recorded a line of 32 points, five rebounds, nine assists and five three-pointers while shooting 76.9 percent from the field in 2014.
It was the highest scoring effort of the season for Hart, whose career high of 44 points was recorded in 2022.
Hart was one of six Knicks players to score in double figures in Tuesday's 136-110 win over the Pacers. OG Anunoby scored 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field with eight rebounds and four assists in the win.
The Pacers also had six players in double figures, but their high-scoring player was Jairus Walker with 16 points.
On the season, Josh Hart is averaging 11.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.
It was the fourth straight win for the Knicks, who are trying to keep up with the rest of the Eastern Conference in their quest for a top-six seed. New York currently boasts a 45–25 record, which trails the Boston Celtics' 45–23 record for the two-seed in the East. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers (41-27) and Toronto Raptors (38-29) are the closest teams below the Knicks in the standings.
The Knicks will now have two days off before taking on the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, March 20 inside Barclays Center.
