‘Lamp Post to a Drunk Person’ — Josh Hart Throws Shade at Analytics After Punishing Cavaliers for Leaving Him Open in Game 2

The New York Knicks have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. While the Cleveland Cavaliers managed to contain stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns in Thursday’s Game 2 clash, Josh Hart emerged as New York’s top scorer.

As the Cavaliers focused their defensive efforts on Brunson and Towns, Hart erupted for a playoff career-high 26 points in the Knicks’ 109-93 statement victory. Following the contest, the veteran wing delivered a head-turning analogy about the role of analytics in basketball.

Josh Hart Drops Hilarious Analytics Quote After Game 2 Outburst

With a fully healthy roster, Hart is often viewed as the Knicks’ fifth offensive option behind Brunson, Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges. That creates a “pick your poison” dilemma for opposing defenses, and Cleveland opted to give Hart more space offensively in Game 2.

Hart is not typically known as a prolific shooter. Instead, he has built his reputation on transition play, hustle, and attacking the basket. Although he shot over 41% from 3-point range during the regular season, many teams still view him as a non-shooter, and Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson leaned into that scouting report.

The strategy backfired, however, as Hart punished Cleveland for leaving him open by knocking down 5 triples and finishing with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks while shooting 10-for-21 from the field.

Josh Hart 26 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST, 2 BLK, 10/21 FG, 5/11 3FG, 59.4% TS vs Cavs https://t.co/jV6uWK1BTQ pic.twitter.com/51Tp1HsCp3

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) May 22, 2026

Following the lopsided win, Hart made his feelings on analytics crystal clear.

“I’m never a huge analytics guy. At a certain point, they’re a lamp post to a drunk person,” Hart said. “You can lean on them, but it won’t get you home. So, at a certain point, you’ve gotta have a good feel for the game.”

“They’re lamp posts to a drunk person. You can lean on them, but it won’t get you home.”

— Josh Hart is not a fan of analytics. 💀💀💀

(via @ohnohedidnt24)

pic.twitter.com/1euymplfnN

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 22, 2026

MORE: ‘What a Run,’ ‘It’s Really Happening’ — NBA World Buzzes As Knicks Extend Playoff Win Streak to 9 Games, Inch Closer to Finals Berth

To Hart’s credit, some teams can become overly reliant on analytics, and that approach occasionally proves costly, as seen on Thursday night when Hart went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in the second half while the entire Cavaliers team went just 3-for-14 from deep.

“If they’re going to continue to leave him open, he’s gotta keep letting it fly,” Knicks coach Mike Brown added. “… That’s who Josh is. He’s a gamer. He knows what changes he needs to make in order to be effective.”