The New York Knicks took a commanding 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday.
Josh Hart led the Knicks’ offensive charge with an unexpected outburst in their emphatic 109-93 Game 2 home win. However, it was Hart’s bizarre postgame press conference that blew up on social media.
Josh Hart’s Postgame Pizza Snack Goes Viral
In a now-viral clip, Hart can be seen walking into his postgame presser with a box of pizza.
In a nonchalant manner, the nine-year NBA veteran proceeded to offer a slice to Karl-Anthony Towns, asking the star big man, “Are you a crust guy?” That was all the internet needed.
The NBA world went crazy over the absurdity of the situation, using Hart’s antics to bury a Cavaliers team staring at a daunting 0-2 hole.
The X account Hater Report framed Hart’s laidback demeanor as proof that New York isn’t “worried about” Cleveland at all.
The Knicks aren’t worried about the Cavs AT ALL. Josh Hart pulled up to the presser eating pizza 😂
To KAT: “Are you a crust guy?” 😭 pic.twitter.com/bfMsI8vUmx
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 22, 2026
Ratioed Sports went straight for the jugular, writing, “Josh Hart casually eating pizza after going up 2-0 is so disrespectful. Cavs are soft. Get the brooms.”
Josh Hart casually eating pizza after going up 2-0 is so disrespectful 😆
Cavs are soft.
Get the brooms. 🧹 pic.twitter.com/ax8eg06mYo
— Ratioed Sports (@RatioedSports) May 22, 2026
“They dead*ss don’t take us seriously, man,” a Cavaliers supporter chimed in.
They deadass don’t take us seriously man pic.twitter.com/PlaWks4C6o
— ¹⁰ (@HoodiGarland) May 22, 2026
Meanwhile, WFAN radio host Lori Rubinson interpreted the moment as an encouraging sign for New York’s team chemistry, rather than a flex.
“Seems silly, but it’s nice to see Josh Hart bringing KAT into the usual Hart nonsense and playfulness. Chemistry keeps getting better. I know – it’s just pizza,” Rubinson remarked.
seems silly but it’s nice to see Josh Hart bringing KAT into the usual Hart nonsense and playfulness. chemistry keeps getting better. I know – it’s just pizza https://t.co/HgJu97vU7n
— Lori Rubinson (@LRubinsonWFAN) May 22, 2026
WFUV Sports content director Gabby Price also posted another angle of Hart causing a stir by casually strolling in with pizza.
No one:
Josh Hart walking in with an entire pizza box: pic.twitter.com/mlGJiEXOE1
— Gabby Price (@gabbypricect) May 22, 2026
Regardless of how Hart’s postgame shenanigans were perceived, his play spoke for itself, as the 31-year-old delivered a playoff career-high 26 points. He added 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 3-pointers, with all of New York’s starters chipping in at least 14 points.
The mood inside Madison Square Garden matched the energy on the court, with the raucous crowd breaking into a “Knicks in four” chant aimed squarely at Cleveland.
The Cavaliers’ outlook now seems increasingly bleak. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 26 points on 8-for-18 shooting but appeared to lack his usual burst of energy. That sparked concerns about the seven-time All-Star’s health, which he downplayed postgame.
No other Cleveland starter cracked the 20-point mark, as the Cavaliers shot just 38.8% from the field and 25.7% from 3 while missing 10 free throws. James Harden’s struggles persisted, with the veteran star logging 18 points on 6-for-15 shooting and only 2 assists.
Despite having some fun postgame, Hart acknowledged that New York is far from out of the woods with an NBA Finals berth just two wins away.
“We can’t be happy with being up 2-0. We know they’re going to have a sense of urgency, a sense of desperation. We can’t just match it, we have to exceed it,” Hart said.
Game 3 is Saturday in Cleveland.
