Knicks' Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson Fire Back at Philadelphia's Outcry Over Villanova Tweet

Philly fans aren't happy with Villanova's support for Knicks players.

Feb 14, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and guard Josh Hart / Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia 76ers fans are giving a lot of grief to three members of the New York Knicks who have ties to their city. Now those players are firing back.

The Knicks currently hold a 2–0 lead over the 76ers in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. Three key players on the Knicks' roster played at Villanova and that has lead to some uncomfortable moments so far. Their former college program posted a tweet honoring the trio of Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, which didn't sit well with Sixers fans.

The tweet in question from Villanova is below.

Our guys @jalenbrunson1 and @Divincenzo with two HUGE 3s to seal the Win in Game 2😤@jalenbrunson1 24 pts | 8 reb | 6 ast@Divincenzo 19 pts | 4 reb@joshhart 21 pts | 15 reb pic.twitter.com/dY3NKXVMHr

— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) April 23, 2024

Hart discussed Philly fans being upset over Villanova celebrating the group's achievements Wednesday.

"For Philly fans to be mad about that, I think that's idiotic," he said. "That's who we are, we're a family. We play for the ones that come before us there and that's how it is there. So I don't care about it. I think it's idiotic that Philly fans are mad about that.

He added, "Villanova is in our blood."

Brunson was similarly peeved by it. He said, "I don't know what to say to that. In their eyes, we're not a Philly school. But when we win, apparently we're a Philly school."

Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo have been a huge part of the Knicks building a 2–0 lead in the series. All three were at the center of the sequence that helped New York take a late lead in Game 2.

So far in the series, Brunson is averaging 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists and Hart is scoring 21.5 points per game, while adding 14.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. DiVincenzo has hit a number of key buckets while averaging 13.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

The Villanova trio has been huge for the Knicks this season. Philly fans are likely going to have to get used it.