SI

Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson Offer No Excuses for Knicks' Blowout Game 4 Loss

Karl Rasmussen

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drives against the Indiana Pacers.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drives against the Indiana Pacers. / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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The New York Knicks did not look like their usual selves during Sunday's lopsided defeat against the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, and both Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson shouldered the blame after the loss.

The Knicks lacked their usual high-intensity energy on Sunday afternoon, a tone which Hart said was his responsibility to set. The 29-year-old, who is typically wreaking havoc on the court with his relentless drive and had logged at least 40 minutes in every single playoff game prior to Game 4, recorded just 24 minutes in the loss.

"I put that on my shoulders. I'm supposed to be the energy guy of the team, and I didn't do anything. I gave nothing," said Hart, via SNY. "It's the playoffs. You gotta will yourself, will your body, and that's something that I failed to do today... there's no excuses."

Despite the slew of injuries plaguing the Knicks, Hart offered no excuses for the defeat. Brunson also spoke candidly after the loss, downplaying the notion that the team was shorthanded.

"There is no 'we're shorthanded.' There is no excuse. There's no excuse whatsoever," he said after the game.

The 32-point defeat was the fifth-largest playoff loss in franchise history and helped Indiana even the series up at 2–2. Brunson and Hart shot a combined 7-for-23 from the field.

They'll look to turn the page to Game 5 on Tuesday night when the series returns to New York.

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Karl Rasmussen
KARL RASMUSSEN

Karl Rasmussen is a staff writer for the Breaking and Trending News team for Sports Illustrated. A University of Oregon alum who joined SI in February 2023, his work has appeared on 12up and ClutchPoints. Rasmussen is a loyal Tottenham, Jets, Yankees and Ducks fan.

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