Josh Hart urges Knicks to stay locked in after Game 4 win vs. Celtics: “We’re up 3-1, but that means nothing. We need urgency from the jump.”
The New York Knicks have taken a commanding 3-1 lead over the Boston Celtics in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series, but veteran wing Josh Hart is making sure his team doesn’t let up. Following Monday night’s 121-113 Game 4 victory at Madison Square Garden, Hart delivered a clear and powerful message: the job isn’t done.
Hart: “3-1 Means Nothing”
After the win, Hart spoke with the media and emphasized the need for continued focus and intensity heading into Game 5:
“We’re up 3-1, but that doesn’t mean anything. We’ve got to go into this next game with a sense of desperation, sense of urgency from the jump.”
The Knicks are just one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, but Hart knows all too well that playoff basketball can shift quickly—especially against a battle-tested team like Boston.
All-Heart Performance from Hart
While his stat line may not have stood out, Hart’s impact was undeniable. In 30 minutes of high-energy action, he posted:
- 6 points
- 9 rebounds
- 5 assists
- 1 steal
He shot 2-of-7 from the field, including 1-of-3 from deep, but his contributions went far beyond scoring. Hart was everywhere—diving for loose balls, setting hard screens, initiating fast breaks, and providing the kind of gritty, glue-guy presence that doesn’t always show up in the box score.
Knicks Know the Job’s Not Finished
New York’s Game 4 win came on the back of another Jalen Brunson masterclass (39 points, 12 assists), but it’s voices like Hart’s that keep the team grounded. His veteran leadership and playoff experience bring a vital edge to a Knicks roster hungry for success—and determined to not fall into the trap of complacency.
The Knicks will now look to close out the series in Game 5 on May 14 at 7 p.m. ET in Boston. With the Garden rocking and the series swinging in their favor, the energy is high—but as Hart insists, that energy must now become urgency.
Josh Hart’s message is simple but powerful: Play like you’re down, not like you’re ahead. If the Knicks want to make history, they’ll need to match Boston’s desperation—and finish what they started.
