Confusion hit immediately. The timing made no sense. Fresh off one of his best performances of the season, Josh Hart suddenly sounded off with three blunt words that caught everyone off guard.

“We are a joke.” That message came just hours after the New York Knicks dominated the Indiana Pacers 136-110 on March 17, a game where Hart was the standout performer. Naturally, fans assumed frustration with his own team.

That assumption did not hold up.

Hart’s post had nothing to do with basketball. Instead, it came in response to Chelsea F.C. crashing out of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. The English club suffered a 0-3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the second leg, completing an 8-2 aggregate loss that left fans frustrated across the board.

That context explains the emotion behind Hart’s message. Meanwhile, the contrast made the moment even louder. On one side, Hart delivered a near-flawless performance for New York with 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 12-of-13 from the field and 5-of-5 from three. On the other, his favorite soccer club was being dismantled on one of the biggest stages.

Because of that, the tweet landed with confusion before clarity followed. However, for those familiar with Hart’s off-court interests, the reaction was not surprising. The 31-year-old has long identified himself as a die-hard Chelsea supporter. His connection to the club dates back to the 2010 World Cup, when he began following England and became a fan of Frank Lampard. Since then, he has visited Stamford Bridge multiple times and consistently engages with matches online.

That history matters. It explains why a Champions League collapse could trigger a reaction louder than an NBA win.

Jeremy Sochan teases Josh Hart in a hilarious exchange between the two Knicks stars

While Hart was processing Chelsea’s latest setback, his teammate Jeremy Sochan saw an opportunity. Days before the PSG result, Sochan, a supporter of Arsenal F.C., had already started the banter following Chelsea’s league struggles.

“Josh, are you okay, fam? What happened? 🥺🥺🥺” The exchange did not stop there. “Josh, why are you not replying? I still need to get you a gunners top😔”

The context behind that teasing is simple. The two have an ongoing bet tied to their favorite clubs’ performances. With Arsenal sitting higher in the standings and Chelsea struggling, Hart is edging closer to losing that wager.

“Leave me alone.” That reply from Hart summed it up. He knows what is coming. At the same time, this moment fits into a broader pattern across sports. Athletes today are more open about their fandoms beyond their own leagues. That crossover creates moments like this, where an NBA performance and a soccer result collide within hours.

For Hart, both worlds matter. The focus now shifts back to basketball. The Knicks will face the Brooklyn Nets next on March 20, continuing their push in the standings. Still, the Chelsea frustration is not going anywhere. And if results do not improve soon, neither will the jokes.