Lakers legend Magic Johnson believes the Knicks should return Josh Hart to the starting lineup in Game 5.
The New York Knicks are facing elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers as they prepare for a do-or-die Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
Josh Hart
Josh Hart
Josh Hart
MIN: 37.45
PTS: 13.37 (57.78%)
REB: 9.45
As: 5.68
ST: 1.44
BL: 0.4
TO: 2.03
GM: 93
Ahead of the game, Hall of Famer and Lakers legend Magic Johnson, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, offered a piece of advice to the Knicks ahead of their most important game of the season.
In his opinion, the Knicks should return guard Josh Hart to the starting lineup after replacing him with center Mitchell Robinson for the past two games.
"A message to the New York Knicks: Go back to what got you to the Eastern Conference Finals - that’s having Josh Hart in the starting lineup," Johnson wrote on X.
The Knicks opted to start two centers, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, in those two games. While the strategy helped them steal Game 3 in Indiana, it failed in Game 4 as they fell into a 3–1 deficit in the series.
Despite coming off the bench in the last two games, Hart has still averaged over 35 minutes per game in the series, contributing 8.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.
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