Obstacles pile up for the NY Knicks as they go deep into the semi-final series. They entered the series against the Indiana Pacers with two players down in the roster. Now, even before the end of the series, they have two more players on the list. While Josh Hart’s availability for the series decider is still uncertain, veteran NBA analysts dropped a reality check on Jalen Brunson & Co. after the Game 6 loss.

In the post-game analysis after Game 6, Stephen A. Smith joined the NBA Countdown crew to dissect the Knicks’ helpless loss. The veteran analyst straightway named the Pacers as the winners of the series. On the other hand, his fellow panelist, Michael Wilbon, who took pride in reporting 40+ Game 7 in his career, dropped his basketball wisdom. Addressing Josh Hart’s injury, he said, “This is a turn for the Knicks that they can’t survive.”

Moreover, Wilbon further stressed the importance of Hart by saying, “They’ve done without the others, but they can’t do without Josh Hart.” Well, he wasn’t the only one who made this claim. The NBA Countdown‘s newest member, Bob Myers, also double-downed on the claim, saying, “Josh Hart is a material loss.” 

Injuries have been the story of the Knicks’ journey this season. Firstly, they lost their big man Julius Randle to a shoulder injury halfway through the regular season. Following him, Mitchell Robinson, another big man, who suffered an ankle injury in the regular season, again re-aggravated it during the first-round series against the Sixers. After losing two centers, the team also lost star forward OG Anunoby to a hamstring injury.

Adding up to the misery, in Game 6, Josh Hart suffered an abdominal soreness after a collision with Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam. And, currently, the team has listed him in the Questionable category on the injury report.

While the analyst wrote off the Knicks, the players still believe

The Knicks have repeatedly proved their grit with a shorthanded squad throughout the season. Despite losing their big men in the regular season, they finished second in the Eastern Conference table. Jalen Brunson, with the support of his Vilanova teammates Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, shouldered the side deep into the postseason.

Similarly, after the unfortunate injury of Josh Hart in Game 6, the team didn’t seem to have lost hope. Speaking of the challenge ahead, DiVincenzo said, “Obviously, you never wanna see anyone get hurt, but it’s been our season. We have more than enough, whoever’s on the court…. Whatever fires on the court, we have a blueprint here… You go out there and compete your tails off, you give yourself a chance to win.” 

While the newest member of the Knicks believed in his side, Jalen Brunson showed the existing camaraderie on the side. Speaking of his teammate’s injury, he said, “If you’re out there, you’re ready to go. That’s been our mindset… No matter what the situation is, we’re gonna have each other’s backs.”

Top Stories

Lakers’ Gabe Vincent Dishes on LeBron James, Luka Doncic’s Sacrifices, Role on the Team and More (Exclusive)

Arrest For Shaquille O’Neal’s Stolen Range Rover Made But More Bad News Awaits

Calls Mount Against NBA Refs After Stephen Curry Wrongfully Punished vs Timberwolves

Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins Announce Injury Update After Months of Battle

Lakers Champ Isaiah Rider Breaks Silence On Arrest For Order Violation

Will the Knicks make it past the semi-finals series? Let us know in the comments below.