Josh Hart's best assist during his record-setting night on Tuesday may have come after the final buzzer, following the New York Knicks' 128-113 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Hart etched his name into the franchise record books, tallying 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season, surpassing Clyde Frazier's 56-year-old record for the most in a single season.
Hart received fanfare after the victory, but he decided not to keep the game ball from the evening. Instead, he handed it off to Kevin McCullar Jr., who scored his first NBA points in the victory.
"That record is gonna get broken at some point," Hart said after the game. "Getting your first NBA points, no one can take that from you."
McCullar was thankful for Hart's gesture after the win.
"Josh is a good dude. That's my vet," McCullar said. "He's shown me nothing but love since I got here. I appreciate him doing that."
Hart drew widespread praise for the move.
"Josh Hart is the gold standard for pro athletes…busts his tail on every possession, loves his teammates and just always seems to 'get it,'" one fan said.
Another added: "Class act for Josh to give the game ball to Kevin McCullar because he hit his first NBA bucket on the same night Josh broke the franchise record for triple-doubles in a season. Salute to Josh Hart man."
During the win, the Knicks also got a triple-double from big man Karl-Anthony Towns. Hart and Towns are the first Knicks teammates to achieve the feat in the same game.
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This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 10:27 PM.