Josh Hart's Late 3-Pointer Keeps Knicks' Home Winning Streak Alive at 6 Games

The New York Knicks just refused to let the Boston Celtics steal one at Madison Square Garden. Josh Hart went absolutely nuclear in the clutch, dropping 26 points and nailing a crucial 3-pointer with 15.2 seconds left to seal a 112-106 win on Thursday and extend their home winning streak to six straight games.

Hart Takes Over When It Matters Most

This was a game that came down to the final seconds, and Hart made sure the Knicks' defense at home meant something. He went 5 of 7 from deep, including two in the final minute alone. After Nikola Vucevic cut Boston's deficit to just three points with 35.6 seconds remaining, Hart's late 3-pointer pushed the lead back to six and essentially put the game away. Jalen Brunson was steady alongside him, adding 25 points and dishing 10 assists to keep the Knicks' offense ticking.

Towns Contributes on Both Ends

Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 16 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, giving New York multiple scoring threats when Boston tried to key on any one player. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum led the way with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, but it wasn't enough. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman went off from 3-point range, making 6 of 7 attempts for 20 points. Boston came close but couldn't finish. The good news for the Knicks? They can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings.

Around the League

The Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to eight games with a 113-102 win over Philadelphia. Kevin Durant led the way with 29 points and a critical late 3-pointer. The Rockets had to survive a dramatic comeback, watching a 28-point lead shrink to just three points before holding on. Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson each scored 19 for Houston. Philadelphia's Joel Embirel underwent an emergency appendectomy Thursday and sat out the loss.

In other action: Toronto crushed Miami 128-114 to complete a four-game sweep of the Heat and climb into fifth in the Eastern Conference, with Brandon Ingram going off for 38 points. Chicago beat Washington 119-108 behind 31 points from Tre Jones and a career-high 26 from Leonard Miller. Indiana dominated Brooklyn 123-94 as Obi Toppin scored a season-high 26 points on an efficient 11 of 14 shooting. The Lakers snapped a three-game slide with a 119-103 win over Golden State in San Francisco, moving into a tie with Houston for the No. 4 spot in the West, one game behind Denver.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.