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“NBA Hates Knicks”: Josh Hart’s Controversial Ejection Against Bulls Irks Fans

Published 04/05/2024, 9:52 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Fans rallied the social media comments to show their support for Josh Hart. The New York Knicks‘ herculean guard received a controversial flagrant foul against the Chicago Bulls tonight. The 29-year-old has engaged in various arguments with the refs for controversial calls, but tonight, the refs ejected him. During a play, Hart went up for a lay-up and the Bulls’ Javonte Green stripped the ball off his hand mid-air. In response, the star who didn’t have anywhere else to go extended his leg off balance. Unfortunately, it landed on Green’s head. The refs immediately reviewed the play and ejected Hart.

The Knicks unfortunately went on to lose the game by a 100-108 margin. Josh Hart barely played 11 minutes, recorded an assist and a rebound, and left the court without disturbing the points column. However, the Knicks had their competitive game on, as they threatened the Bulls till the last few minutes, getting the deficit close to 3 points. Jalen Brunson shouldered the game with 35 points and 11 assists. When the short-handed Knicks stepped on the court without their forward Julius Randle, Hart’s absence further strangled the team’s offense. The point guard averaged 9.2 points this season and also dropped 31 points in his last outing against the Sacramento Kings. If not for the ejection, Hart could have turned the tides for the Knicks.

The video clip of the play went viral on social media, and reacting to it, a fan said, “The NBA hates Knicks.” 

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Here are some more reactions from the fans. One fan compared Hart to Draymond Green.

A fan went a step further and called out the controversial referee, Scott Foster, for this decision.

Another fan went on to call it the worst ejection they had ever seen.

This fan brought in their meme knowledge into the debate to side with Hart.

The possible problem last night was probably the Knicks’ ability an attempt a bounceback. With no Josh Hart, Knicks fans probably feel cheated as he had the ability to improve the game as it progressed.

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New York Knicks and other controversial calls

In this season, the Knicks made waves in the NBA world with two back-to-back controversial no-calls. In February, the Knicks’ Donte DiVincenzo engaged in a controversial no-call in the final seconds of the game against the Detroit Pistons and slipped away with a win. The NY side refused to comment on the call after the game and Pistons’ HC Monty Williams expressed his disappointment in the press conference.

While the Knicks got away with that ‘no call’, they suffered for the same reason in the next game, reported the NY Post. They took on the New Orleans Pelicans and Josh Hart took a blow to his nose and the refs refused to call foul. Zion Williamson, in his attempt to block Hart’s layup, hit his nose with his arm and elbow. The guard was left bloodied, and the refs didn’t move an inch.

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What do you make of the controversial calls that have plagued the Knicks this season? Let us know in the comments.

“Terrible Human Being”: Josh Hart’s Reaction to Julius Randle’s Season Ending Injury Confuses Fans

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Written by:

Shahul Hameed

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Shahul Hameed is a Senior NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. Armed with a Master's Degree in journalism from a distinguished institute, his journey into sports writing began during his college days, and since then, Shahul has been captivated not only by the remarkable consistency of Stephen Curry but also by the enduring legacy of LeBron James. He specializes in covering the live basketball action.
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Edited by:

Saumya Khanduja