Josh Hart and the Knicks grapple with fatigue as they prepare for a pivotal Game 5 at home, with the series against the Pacers now balanced.
On May 13, 2024, the New York Knicks suffered a significant defeat against the Indiana Pacers, losing 121-89 and evening the series at 2-2. In the absence of OG Anunoby, the Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton with 20 points, showcased impressive shooting efficiency with a field goal percentage of 56.8% and 14 three-pointers.
Josh Hart, who has been logging extensive minutes throughout the playoffs, played at least 41 minutes in all nine games, totaling 417 minutes—the highest in the playoffs. Despite his endurance, Hart expressed fatigue after scoring just 2 points and grabbing 3 rebounds, stating, "I should shoulder this responsibility. I should be the most energetic person on the team, but I did nothing."
Jalen Brunson, reflecting on the Knicks' performance, dismissed any excuses related to the team's fatigue, emphasizing the need to move forward and focus on what's next. "You can talk about whether we have fresh legs...but it doesn't matter now. We have what we have, we need to move on, there are no excuses, we lost in the end, that's what it is."
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau also commented on the need for resilience and preparation for the next game: "Although we are disappointed, we can't stay sad forever. We must solve it. We must deal with what happens next with will and determination."
The Pacers, with a solid home record, have not lost at Bankers Life Fieldhouse since March 18, racking up 10 consecutive home victories. Looking ahead, the Knicks face a critical Game 5 at their home court, where the absence of Anunoby, who has a season record of 13 wins and 16 losses when not playing, could still impact the team.
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2024/05/13, picture citation source Associated Press