Josh Hart reveals what’s bothering him amid ECF wait

Josh Hart and the New York Knicks swept their second round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, winning in relatively dominating fashion. But the victory, however, now gives them at least one week off before the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, especially as the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers will have at least a six-game series.

There are positives and negatives to having breaks this long during the postseason, but for a team that has been banged up and plays as physical as they do, the Knicks will take it.

During the team’s media availability after practice on Wednesday afternoon, Josh Hart was asked what this extended break is like as they’re trying to compete for an NBA Championship.

“The first series we had a, what, four day break?” Hart asked. “I think it was. That was good enough. This right now is at least a week if not nine days. It’s a long time. Obviously, it’s good for recovery, but mentally, I’m watching the games, just waiting to get back out there. It’s a little long.”

Josh Hart says the layoff between series for the Knicks feels like "a long time"

"It's good for recovery, but mentally, I'm watching the games just waiting to get back out there. It's a little long." pic.twitter.com/PB7eLd8vWp

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 13, 2026

Josh Hart had a big year for the Knicks, averaging 12 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game for New York while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and a career-high 41.3 percent from three.

Hart has been among Knicks who have been banged up throughout the postseason, but he’s still played in all 10 games, contributing 10.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for New York.

“I don’t think we look at it as a pressure situation,” Hart said on what the focus is in the Eastern Conference Finals. “We’re in New York, and everything we do is amplified, whether it’s winning three games in a row and people crown us champions or losing three games in a row and people crown us the team that’s tanking. Our job right now is to stay even, to focus on the task at hand.”

"I don't think we look at it as a pressure situation. We're in New York, everything we do is amplified. Our job right now is to stay even, focus on the task at hand."

– Josh Hart on how the Knicks feel going into the Eastern Conference Finals pic.twitter.com/LszhAoFDe1

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 13, 2026

The Pistons and Cavs will tip off Game 5 of their 2-2 series on Wednesday night and Game 6 will be played on Friday night, so that series still a few days before it could end.

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