Josh Hart did not even try to defend himself after an interaction between him and Jalen Brunson recently went viral. Ever since joining the Knicks, Hart has played an instrumental role in transforming the team into a title contender.
Their deep postseason runs over the past few seasons show the Knicks are on the verge of winning an NBA championship. After toppling Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs to win the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup, Hart went viral for a rather suspicious exchange with Brunson.
Josh Hart Defends Himself After Playfully Smacking Jalen Brunson
Hart and Brunson’s bond was put on display after the Knicks defeated the Spurs to win the 2025-26 NBA Cup. While celebrating their victory and cash prize, Hart ended up smacking Brunson on the backside, an act that went viral after being televised, with fans clipping the moment.
Although the action led some fans to question Hart’s behavior, the Knicks star appeared largely unbothered. In fact, Hart even joked that the video footage was generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
“IT WAS AI,” he tweeted after the Knicks’ win.
Before that, Hart appeared to laugh at the fact that the moment was caught on camera, tweeting: “Damn in 4k…..😂😂😂😂.”
Hart was instrumental in the win, scoring 11 points with eight rebounds in 29 minutes of play. Jalen Brunson was named NBA Cup MVP after his 25-point, eight-assist performance against the Spurs.
Other Knicks also shined in the win, with OG Anunoby posting 28 points and nine rebounds, Karl-Anthony Towns adding 16 points and 11 rebounds, and reserves Jordan Clarkson (15 points), Tyler Kolek (14 points, five rebounds, five assists), and Mitchell Robinson (four points, 15 rebounds, two blocks) contributing off the bench.
The Knicks are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Detroit Pistons in terms of record. Although it is unclear if the Knicks will be able to maintain this pace, it is safe to say they are legitimate postseason contenders.
Brunson and Hart’s relationship, both on and off the court, will go a long way in determining the Knicks’ success compared to other teams in the East. Given that the Knicks eliminated the Boston Celtics last season, their path through the East this season looks as manageable as it has ever been.
Although the Knicks have a long way to go before winning an NBA title, the fan base’s spirits have been lifted by this high-stakes win over the San Antonio Spurs. Fans are left wondering how far the Knicks can go in the playoffs.
