Josh Hart’s bench move helps Knicks spark historic comeback in Game 3
Josh Hart's selfless shift to the bench pays off as Knicks rally past Pacers with record-setting playoff comeback.
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| Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks takes a free throw during the fourth quarter of Game Three against the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 25, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images |
By Adila Ghina and Yuni Utomo
Josh Hart had been contemplating a lineup adjustment long before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. Even as the Knicks were still ahead in their series against the Boston Celtics, Hart sensed that a shake-up might serve the team better. His instincts, as it turns out, were spot on.
After a demoralizing 25-point defeat in Game 5 against Boston, Hart approached head coach Tom Thibodeau with an idea—he was willing to come off the bench. The first unit, of which Hart had been a core part all season, had faltered in critical moments, and Boston was exploiting Hart’s role offensively. Luke Kornet, the Celtics’ center, had effectively neutralized Hart’s offensive contributions by sagging off, cutting off driving lanes and clogging the paint.
Hart, who has long embraced Thibodeau’s intense style of play, suggested aligning his minutes with Mitchell Robinson, the team’s defensive anchor. The goal was to counter Boston’s defensive schemes and stabilize the team’s wobbly starts. Although Thibodeau initially dismissed the idea—opting to keep the starting lineup intact—Game 3 against Indiana saw the long-awaited shift.
Knicks’ first unit struggles prompt change
The decision wasn’t made lightly. The Knicks had continued with the same starters—Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Hart—through the first two games against Indiana. But that group lost its minutes to the Pacers by a staggering 121-92 margin. The time had come for a change, and Thibodeau responded by benching Hart and inserting Robinson into the starting five.
The result? A thrilling 106-100 comeback victory that trimmed Indiana’s series lead to 2-1 and etched the Knicks into the NBA record books. For the third time this postseason, New York overcame a 20-point deficit to win—a feat no team had ever achieved before.
Thibodeau didn’t just tweak the starting lineup; he reimagined his entire rotation. Landry Shamet, previously absent from the playoff rotation, found his way back into the fold. Defensive specialist Delon Wright also saw his first postseason action. Meanwhile, Cameron Payne, who had been backing up Brunson, did not play.
Hart’s shift to the bench set the tone for a more flexible, adaptive game plan. He checked in early and stayed locked in throughout, logging 34 minutes—third-most on the team—while contributing eight points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. His performance, punctuated by a critical fourth-quarter rebound and two clutch free throws, underscored his continued value, even in a reserve role.
Thibodeau praised both Hart and Robinson after the game, saying, “When Mitch was coming off the bench, he’s a starter coming off the bench. When Josh comes off the bench, he’s a starter coming off the bench.”
Hart stays focused on the bigger picture
Despite outside speculation about his role, Hart remained unfazed. “It wasn’t a tough day,” he said after the win, brushing off concerns about his move to the bench. “It was funny, everyone was saying things to me about it. Guys were texting me on other teams. I’m like, brah, I don’t care. I don’t care if I start. I don’t care if I play 20 minutes. If we win, we win.”
That mindset—team over self—has made Hart a fan favorite and a trusted figure in Thibodeau’s system. He embodies the gritty, unselfish ethos that the Knicks have leaned on all season.
The first unit, as previously constructed, lacked a true rim protector. Towns, while a potent offensive force, couldn’t anchor the paint defensively the way Robinson could. Against a Pacers team that targeted New York’s defensive vulnerabilities, that flaw became increasingly evident.
By starting Robinson, the Knicks fortified their defense, especially against Indiana’s paint-heavy attack. Hart’s versatility, energy, and rebounding prowess off the bench added a new dimension to the Knicks’ second unit, which played a pivotal role in the comeback.
A fourth quarter to remember
Foul trouble forced even more lineup experimentation. Brunson, burdened with five fouls, sat much of the fourth quarter. In his absence, a gritty lineup featuring McBride, Wright, Shamet, Hart, and Towns led a spirited charge. Towns exploded for 20 of his 32 points in the final period, while Hart played all 12 fourth-quarter minutes, capping his night with the type of hustle play that has defined his Knicks tenure.
The Knicks used seven unique lineups on Sunday that had not been deployed during the regular season. It was a stark departure from Thibodeau’s usual reliance on a set rotation, and a clear sign that the coach was willing to adapt to keep the season alive.
Hart’s bench move was more than just a tactical adjustment—it signaled a shift in mentality. For a team known for grinding out wins through relentless effort and cohesion, his willingness to sacrifice a starting spot for the greater good embodied the values that have brought the Knicks to the cusp of the Eastern Conference Finals.
“When you think back five years from now, you won’t remember who started Game 3,” Hart said. “You’ll remember that we won. That we fought. That we did it together.”
With the series now 2-1 and momentum swinging back toward New York, Hart’s bench role may not just be a temporary experiment. It might be the move that changed everything.
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