The Knicks’ versatile guard is having a career season

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart is having a season that many could not have imagined after the preseason. Entering the regular season, there were many questions surrounding his fit on the team with Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns added over the summer.

Josh Hart has been a magnificent player for the Knicks this season

Now Hart seems to have figured out his role and is making huge contributions for the Knicks in the early part of the season. On Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns, Hart recorded a double-double with 19 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. He also added six assists and three steals to his tally, shooting 8-for-11 from the floor and 2-for-3 from three.

That performance perfectly sums up the impact he’s had this season as he’s given the Knicks a little bit of everything on the floor. He has now recorded at least a double-double six times this season and is averaging 14.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. match this season.

His start to the season is incredibly encouraging considering the very quiet preseason he is having, scoring just two points across four exhibition games. Hart gives the Knicks the same impact he gave them in the playoffs last year, averaging 14.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in 13 playoff games.

Hart’s influence has translated into wins for the Knicks

That impact has led to winning results for the Knicks as he is a vital part of the lethal offense they have had this season. New York ranks eighth in assists per game as a team at 27.7, compared to last season when they ranked 29th in assists at 24.4. The Knicks are also one of the most efficient teams in the league, with their 50.5% field goal percentage second only to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hart’s quick decision-making and hustle create clean looks for those around him, and his tenacity on the interior gives them much-needed rebounding with Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson still out with injuries.

Before the season, Hart appeared to be an afterthought on a Knicks team with title aspirations. Now he’s one of their key pieces and is playing the best basketball he’s ever played in his eight-year NBA career.