Under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks have made significant strides since the season’s outset. The successful integration of offseason signees into the roster has been a pivotal element in the team’s performance, amplifying the organization’s impact in these initial matchups.

In addition to Towns and Hart, Jalen Brunson has emerged as a key figure in the Knicks’ lineup. Following a remarkable previous season, where the team defied expectations to reach the Eastern Conference Finals by defeating the Boston Celtics, the Knicks are eager to reclaim their position atop the league standings.

As fans anticipate seeing their marquee players face off against the Heat, the team is bracing for a formidable contest. The Miami Heat come equipped with a revamped roster, posing a significant early-season challenge.

Are Towns and Hart playing today in the Knicks vs. Heat game?

Both Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart are playing against the Heat in Miami today. Even though they appeared on the injury report, the Knicks are reportedly counting on them. While KAT is on the starting lineup, Hart is expected to contribute off the bench.

Other names on the Knicks’ injury report

The Knicks’ injury report ahead of the Heat matchup includes two other key players. Mitchell Robinson is confirmed to be absent due to a left ankle injury. He will not be available, even as a substitute.

Deuce McBride is also listed as questionable due to personal reasons. With these absences, the Knicks face a challenging task against Miami, a game that could offer early insight into the hurdles each team might face as the season progresses.

During a recent episode of The Roommates Show with teammate Jalen Brunson, Hart recalled his first interaction with the Knicks’ new coach. “I was with the family and everybody, and we’re all at dinner, and I see a phone call,” he began.

“You know that Apple now has like a little ID joint. So I get the number calling. I’m like, ‘Who the hell is Michael Brown? I don’t know no Michael Brown, bro. I ain’t picking this up,’” Hart said, revealing he had momentarily forgotten the full name of his new boss.

The confusion is understandable—“Michael Brown” is a fairly common name, and the coach is typically referred to as “Mike.” Fortunately for Hart, someone else helped him realize his mistake.

“Then Matt just sitting there like, ‘Is that your new coach?’ I’m like, ‘Oh, hell. Uh, hello. Hey, what’s up? Hey, how you doing?’” the 30-year-old guard said. “I was about to let that one go to voicemail, but yeah. We connected.”

Hart’s expectations for the upcoming season

In the same conversation, Hart shared his early thoughts after speaking with Mike Brown. “I don’t really got a relationship with him. Obviously, he’s been a part of some great organizations and great teams, he’s extremely competitive, someone who I think will work well with the personality and the personnel that we have. So, it’s gonna be great,” said the guard.

Josh also highlighted the Knicks’ strengths. “Obviously, great depth, a lot of versatility, able to play big, small, fast, able to slow down the pace. So, it’s gonna be fun,” he said. However, he acknowledged that building the new group will take time: “I don’t think it’s gonna be something that’s built in one day because you’re going to have to mesh a new coaching style and a new play style, new teammates. But extremely excited.”

Hart recovering from offseason surgery

Josh Hart also made headlines this week after undergoing surgery to address an injury to his right ring finger sustained during the playoffs. His estimated recovery time is about six weeks, and he’s expected to be fully ready to rejoin the team when training camp opens ahead of the 2025–26 season.

“This is my first firing. Obviously, I’ve known him my entire life, but, I remember having conversations and moments with him in 8th grade when we moved to Chicago. And to see where he helped me become two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA. The things he’s done for me individually. I’m so grateful for it. He had that confidence in me that I knew I had, but it’s great to see someone push me to be better. To have Thibs, and to do what he did for my career, I’m so grateful and thankful for. Not enough things can be said about what he’s meant to myself and my career.”

Thibodeau gave the Knicks their best season in 25 years in the NBA by leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, despite being the favorites and having home-court advantage, they couldn’t get past Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers.

Who will be the next coach for the Knicks?

Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, and Quin Snyder were options to become the next coach of the Knicks, but the Mavericks, Rockets, Timberwolves, and Hawks blocked New York from interviewing them.

Now, the situation is filled with uncertainty. However, amid all the criticism directed at Thibodeau, Josh Hart spoke up in his defense through his official X account. “All yall talking trash about Thibs lame as hell. A different direction was taken but yall should be appreciative for what he did for the team and organization”.

Additionally, on the podcast, Hart followed that same line. “We want to give a shoutout to Thibs. You know, especially for myself. He helped make me into the player I am. I had a lot of instability in the early part of my career and he gave me that stability and that opportunity to flourish as a player in the league. A starter in the league. So, I’m always going to be forever grateful for him. This is always a tough part of the NBA because you grow relationships not just on the court but off the court and personal relationships. So, I always got love for him. It’s always tough when there’s a coaching change.”

Hart finished with 10 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds in 33 minutes on the court. His performance not only helped secure a commanding 119-81 victory and a ticket to the Conference Finals, but also etched his name in Knicks history as just the third player to record a triple-double in a playoff game.

Before him, only two other players had done it: Dick McGuire and Walt Clyde Frazier. McGuire achieved it in 1952, while Frazier accomplished it four times during his 10-year run in New York. The last came in 1972, making Hart the first Knicks player in 53 years to post a triple-double in the postseason.

Friday’s game was just another example of what Josh brings to this team. He was a key factor throughout the series against Boston, averaging 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, serving as the perfect complement to the team’s stars, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, on both ends of the court.

His performances didn’t go unnoticed by his team. “That’s who he is. He impacts the game in a lot of different ways,” said head coach Tom Thibodeau about Hart after Game 6, according to the New York Post.

“Sometimes people get stuck on, ‘Well, he didn’t shoot the ball, or he didn’t do this,’” the coach added. “Well, what he is is a basketball player, so it’s transition. It’s the pace. It’s playing out of pocket. It’s making corner 3s. It’s doing all the dribble-handoff, hustle plays, offensive rebounds. And then, defensively being everywhere and coming up with big rebounds. I think when you play with that kind of effort, it’s inspiring to the team.”

Now Hart and the Knicks face a new challenge, one that promises to be just as demanding—if not more—than the previous series against the Detroit Pistons and the Celtics: the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Unlike the matchup with Boston, this is a clash between two teams hungry for glory, both riding the momentum of having knocked out opponents that were, on paper, stronger than them.

The Knicks finished the NBA regular season in third place in the standings, with just one more win than the Pacers. That now gives them a key advantage: home court. Game 1 of the series will be played Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

On the Pistons’ final possession, Cade Cunningham missed a mid-range jumper, but Detroit grabbed the offensive rebound and swung the ball to Hardaway in the corner for a potential game-winning three-pointer. As Hardaway rose for the shot, Hart made contact, but no foul was called. After the final buzzer, a furious reaction followed from the Pistons players toward the officiating crew.

Following a postgame review, crew chief David Guthrie admitted the officials missed the call. “During live play, it was judged that Josh Hart made a legal defensive play,” Guthrie said, via Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. “After postgame review, we observed that Hart makes body contact that is more than marginal to Hardaway Jr., and a foul should have been called.”

The incident fueled ongoing frustration with officiating standards throughout these playoffs, as critical late-game decisions continue to face heavy scrutiny. With the win, the Knicks now lead the series 3–1.

Josh Hart reacts to no-call

After the game, Hart openly acknowledged the contact during Hardaway’s shot attempt but remained noncommittal about whether a foul should have been called.

“Did I make contact with him? Yeah, I made contact with him. Was it legal? I don’t know! We’ll see in the Last Two Minute Report,” Hart said, according to reporter Fred Katz on X, formerly known as Twitter.

JB Bickerstaff frustrated over final possession

As the final buzzer sounded, Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff stormed onto the court to voice his frustration with the officials. In his postgame press conference, Bickerstaff reflected on the final moments involving Cunningham’s missed shot and Hardaway’s contested three-pointer.

“Cade got his shot. He got to his spot — I trust Cade to take that shot 100 times in a row,” Bickerstaff said, via reporter Omari Sankofa II on X. “There was contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot. I don’t know any way around it. There was contact on his jump shot. He left his feet.”

Hart made the bold statement during a recent episode of The Roommates Show, co-hosted by his Knicks teammate Jalen Brunson. When asked who he’d want to score with the game on the line, Hart didn’t hesitate to name Beasley, with whom he played during the 2018–19 season on the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I really think—at least that I’ve seen—he is the most talented person I’ve ever seen touch a basketball,” Hart said. Brunson pushed back with a quick reminder: “And you played with Bron.”

“Yeah, but like, in terms of ‘go get a bucket’… I think—look, NBA KD is the best scorer ever. But if it’s check rock, one-on-one, go get a bucket? I’m taking [Beasley] over KD. The way he gets wherever he wants, athletic as hell, he’s a shot maker. I see him every summer. I work out with him in the summer. We play pro-ams in the summer together. Bro, in terms of one-on-one—check rock, I’ma go get a bucket—he’s up there,” Hart explained.

Peer respect vs public narrative

What makes Hart’s pick so fascinating isn’t just the element of surprise—it’s the behind-the-scenes perspective. Hart’s ongoing connection with Beasley extends beyond their time as Lakers teammates. From summer workouts to pro-am battles, Hart has seen a version of Beasley most fans haven’t. It’s in these settings—away from bright lights and cameras—where raw talent tends to reveal itself most clearly.

There’s a unique kind of respect that exists among NBA players, often disconnected from media hype or stat sheets. It’s earned through competition, effort, and consistency in environments that don’t show up on national TV. Beasley, a player with a solid career but far from superstar billing, seems to be one of those players whose game commands quiet respect from his peers.

Hart’s endorsement doesn’t just elevate Beasley—it highlights how different the internal conversations among NBA players can be. While the world debates MVPs and All-NBA nods, in private gyms and summer leagues, players like Beasley are earning their stripes in ways the public rarely sees.

And when someone like Hart—who’s gone toe-to-toe with the game’s biggest names—makes that kind of call, it’s worth listening. Because sometimes, the most lethal scorers aren’t the ones on your screen—they’re the ones cooking everyone in silence.

The controversy began after the Knicks’ game against the Warriors in early March, when Towns was absent, and his team lost 114-102 at Madison Square Garden. After that game, Green discussed the situation on his podcast, stating: “Some would say he didn’t play because Jimmy (Butler) was in the building. They say KAT didn’t play because Jimmy came into town.”

These remarks sparked backlash, as the actual reason for Karl-Anthony Towns’ absence was due to serious personal matters. Upon learning of this, Draymond issued a clarification. “That’s unfortunate, I’m sorry to hear that. That sucks… But my comments that I made were, you know, ‘People, what I heard was this.’ That’s what I heard,” the Golden State Warriors forward said, a statement many considered insufficient.

Several days after the controversy, and with Towns rejoining the team, his teammate Josh Hart spoke out. “I think KAT handled it the right way,” he began, before taking aim at Draymond Green for his behavior.

“I have my own podcast and all that stuff. Whenever I’m wrong about something, I’ll sit there and say I was,” Josh explained. “For me, I wish he kind of did that, just apologized. You don’t have to be embarrassed or feel like apologizing when you’re wrong isn’t manly. I wish he did. Now that’s in the past, and we’re moving on.”

Towns and Green face off in San Francisco

Following this controversy, the two teams will meet again this Saturday night at Chase Center. The Golden State Warriors will face the New York Knicks in a game that will feature not only the tension of a matchup between two competitive teams in a crucial stretch of the season, but also the added drama of this ongoing narrative.

For the Warriors, it will be an opportunity to extend their impressive streak, having won 11 of their last 13 games. This strong stretch has allowed them to climb in the standings and, for now, secure a spot in the direct playoff qualification zone in the Western Conference.

The New York Knicks, on the other hand, have not been as dominant lately, with a 5-5 record in their last ten NBA games, but their consistent performance throughout the season has kept them comfortably in third place in the Eastern Conference standings.

“It’s tough,” Josh Hart said in an interview shared by reporter Tomer Azarly on his X account. “A lot of you guys forget we’re humans. Or you guys look at us like we’re animals in a petting zoo or a parlay, or something like that,” he added, referring to the press and the general public.

“We give him a lot of credit; we’re there for him,” Hart explained in support of Towns, who was on the court Friday night and led the Knicks with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a tight 105-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome.

“You all forget that we’re real people, that we have real-life problems and traumas and things like that that we have to navigate,” the 30-year-old guard continued. “I think everyone has to keep that in mind when they say things. People say stupid things when they don’t understand and… We’re humans.”

Draymond Green speaks on Towns’ absence

Speaking about Karl-Anthony Towns’ absence from the New York Knicks’ game against the Golden State Warriors earlier this week, Draymond Green made a striking comment: “Some would say he didn’t play because Jimmy (Butler) was in the building… They said KAT didn’t play because Jimmy came to town.”

After learning that the real reason behind Towns’ absence was related to serious personal matters, Green was quick to clarify his statement. “Oh, that’s unfortunate, I’m sorry to hear that. That sucks,” he said. “But my comments were based on what I heard, and that’s what I heard. So I do send my well wishes to him and his family.”

Towns’ importance to the Knicks

In his first season with the New York Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns has performed at an exceptionally high level and has been one of the key contributors to the team’s solid position in the Eastern Conference standings.

The 29-year-old center has elevated his numbers compared to his last two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Throughout the current campaign, Towns is averaging 24.2 points per game, ranking second on the team (behind Jalen Brunson) and 22nd in the league. Additionally, he is averaging 13.3 rebounds, ranking second in the league behind only Domantas Sabonis.

Hart, known for his humor and penchant for lighthearted jabs, didn’t hold back when discussing the Thunder center. “This will be a good test,” Hart told reporters after the Knicks’ victory over the Jazz, as reported by SNY’s Knicks Videos on X (formerly Twitter). “The big man [Hartenstein] got paid this summer, so he should be a little slow on his feet and slow trying to protect the rim. We should be able to go at him.”

The playful trash talk didn’t end there. Hart doubled down on X, writing, “Pockets got fatter, so he’s a little slower 😂,” referencing Hartenstein’s lucrative offseason contract and poking fun at his defensive capabilities.

Psychological gamesmanship

Hart’s remarks highlight how NBA players often use humor and banter as a form of psychological gamesmanship, adding fuel to an already competitive matchup. For Hartenstein, the challenge will be to counter Hart’s comments with his play on the court, using the jokes as motivation to showcase his defensive skills and make a statement.

Momentum and stakes

This game comes at a pivotal point in the season, with both teams riding impressive runs of form. The Knicks enter the matchup on a nine-game winning streak, with Jalen Brunson leading the charge and putting up All-Star-caliber performances. Meanwhile, the Thunder are arguably the hottest team in the league.

Both teams feature dynamic, young rosters and have quietly developed a competitive rivalry. The added drama of Hart’s comments has only heightened the anticipation, ensuring fans are in for a thrilling contest packed with high-energy plays and strategic battles.

“NBA needs to drug test all of them, I’ll tell you that right now,” the Knicks guard joked, referring to how unstoppable Boston seemed throughout the game. “I ain’t ever seen anything like that before,” Hart added, before switching gears to offer sincere praise: “You gotta give them credit. They’re already an explosive team. Obviously, there was an energy in the arena today. It was contagious. They played extremely well.”

Hart later acknowledged that Boston’s victory wasn’t just about their excellence, but also the New York Knicks’ shortcomings. “We’ll look at it; we’ll learn from it… There were some defensive mishaps that we had,” he said, taking a balanced view of the loss.

Celtics shine in season opener

The reigning champions left no doubt about the outcome from the start. They built a commanding 43-24 lead in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game and allowing them to control the tempo with ease.

Several Celtics players delivered standout performances, most notably Jayson Tatum, who racked up 37 points and 10 assists. Derrick White contributed 24 points, while Jaylen Brown added 23, with all three players helping Boston overwhelm the Knicks on both ends of the court.

Celtics tie NBA record for three-pointers

One of the night’s key moments came from beyond the arc, as Boston’s three-point shooting was nothing short of remarkable. The Celtics tied the all-time NBA record with 29 made three-pointers, a mark previously held by the Milwaukee Bucks since 2020. Though they tried to surpass the record late in the game, Boston missed their next 13 attempts from deep and had to settle for sharing the historic feat.

During the game, DiVincenzo exchanged heated words with his former coach, Tom Thibodeau. After the game, tensions escalated as DiVincenzo and Rick Brunson got into an argument that required others to step in and separate the two.

“You know, families fight. Things are said. It should’ve been handled better on both sides,” Jalen Brunson said on the latest episode of his Roommates Show podcast. “Everyone thinks the world is crumbling.”

DiVincenzo, who had reportedly been “very unhappy” with his role on the Knicks before the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, was a key piece in the deal alongside Julius Randle. His run-ins with both Thibodeau and Brunson senior appear to reflect his frustrations as he adjusts to his new team in Minnesota.

Josh Hart weighs in on the issue

Knicks forward Josh Hart also shared his thoughts on the situation between DiVincenzo and the coaching staff. “When you get traded sometimes, you feel unwanted,” Hart said. “Whenever you play that team, whether it’s the preseason, you always go at that team.”

“It’s always personal for you… we’re actually people, we have emotions, we have feelings,” Hart continued. “But, at the end of the day, it’s always love. You’ve built relationships and gone through adversity with those people.”

DiVincenzo, Brunson, Hart, and newly acquired forward Mikal Bridges were all college teammates at Villanova. There was high anticipation to see how the quartet would play together in the NBA, but the unexpected trade cut short that possibility for the Knicks.