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Knicks’ Josh Hart Flips Script on Pistons With Social Media Post

Josh Hart celebrated Jalen Brunson after the Knicks' Game 6 victory.
Justin Grasso|
Jan 21, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Knicks guards Josh Hart (3) and Jalen Brunson (11) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Jan 21, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Knicks guards Josh Hart (3) and Jalen Brunson (11) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsNew York Knicks

The New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons wrapped up their first-round series in the 2025 NBA Playoffs on Thursday night. Although the Pistons teased a potential Game 7 scenario, they didn’t have enough in the end.

New York had to rely on its clutch star, Jalen Brunson. The All-Star guard showed why he was named the Clutch Player of the Year late last month as he hit the Pistons’ defense with an unforgettable three-point jumper that ended up becoming the game-winning shot.

After the game, Knicks standout Josh Hart flipped the script on Malik Beasley and the Pistons by sending out an immediate postgame message on social media.

via @joshhart: JALEN BRUNSON 🗣️🗣️🗣️

Maybe it was just a coincidence that Hart’s postgame social media post sort of resembled Beasley’s after the Pistons’ Game 5 win on the road at Madison Square Garden. If not, it was a good turn of the tables.

@mbeasy5: Ausar Thompson 🔥

In a win-or-go-home battle in New York, Thompson had a surprising emergence on the offensive end of the floor. The second-year wing shot 8-10 from the field and generated six points from the charity stripe. He tied his career-high in scoring with 22 points.

While Thompson’s offensive production was impressive, his defense is what’s been a highlight of the Pistons’ playoff run. Typically looking to slow down Jalen Brunson, Thompson helped hold the star guard to just 16 points on 25 percent shooting from the field in Game 5.

In Game 6, Thompson had his moments on both ends of the floor once again. Offensively, he scored 17 points. On defense, Thompson came down with six rebounds, came up with three steals, and blocked two shots. There were big moments where Thompson slowed down Brunson. Ultimately, it didn’t matter.

Brunson went off for 40 points on 46 percent shooting. He helped the Knicks put a tough Pistons team away once and for all.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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