Josh Hart has added fuel to the fire ahead of the New York Knicks‘ clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hart did not hold back when taking an unexpected verbal jab at one of the Thunder’s standout players, Isaiah Hartenstein. The Knicks guard made the comment during a pre-game media session, sparking instant debate among fans and analysts with his hilarious jibe at the opponent star. With the Thunder boasting a strong roster and the Knicks seeking a critical win, Hart’s remark on Hartenstein has only heightened the anticipation for this showdown.
Josh Hart unleashed a hilarious verbal jab on Isaiah Hartenstein ahead of Oklahoma City Thunder vs New York Knicks game
The highly anticipated Oklahoma City Thunder vs New York Knicks game is scheduled for January 4 and fans have already witnessed the hint of fiery competition ahead of the game. Knicks star Josh Hart’s recent comments aimed at Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein have recently grabbed attention, extending the hype even further.
“This will be a good test,” Hart told reporters after the Knicks’ victory over the Jazz, (SNY’s Knicks Videos on X). “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,” he continued.
The hilarious trash talk did not end there as Hart went on to bring Hartenstein’s lucrative offseason contract into focus twisting it to fit in his playful attack on the 26-year-old. “Pockets got fatter, so he’s a little slower 😂,” Hart wrote on X.
The Knicks are gearing up for a high-stakes battle as they face the surging Thunder on Friday night in Oklahoma City. Tom Thibodeau’s squad, riding a nine-game winning streak, faces its toughest test yet against the Western Conference leaders.
The Thunder, led by NBA scoring leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, entered Thursday on a 12-game win streak. This matchup pits the league’s top defense (Thunder, 102.9 points per 100 possessions) against the Knicks’ powerhouse offense, ranked second (120.1 points per 100). It promises to be an electrifying showdown.
After adding a stunning 31 points and 21 rebounds in Wednesday’s home win over the Jazz, Knicks’ star player Karl-Anthony Towns has given his realistic take on the upcoming game. “They’re really good, and they’re better than they’ve ever been. So we gotta be at our best to go out there and compete at a high level,” he said.
Also Read: OKC Thunder Trade Rumor: GM Sam Presti eyes $22 million Brooklyn Nets star forward to bolster team rotations
Towns added, “We’ve been fortunate to find ourselves winning in the games where we learned a lot about ourselves, and have to take those teachings and those experiences with us to OKC and utilize them to come out with a win.”
As for Hart, he recorded back-to-back triple-doubles against the Wizards and the Jazz, and is looking to play his game aggressively, “Got to go out there, play our game and be aggressive.”
