NBA: Josh Hart produces 33 points in 26 minutes as Knicks stomp Pacers

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart had one of the most impressive games of his career Tuesday night, scoring 33 points to lead the surging Knicks to a 136-110 victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers.

Hart was nearly perfect from the field, making 12 of 13 shots, including a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range. His 33 points marked the second-highest total of his nine-year career, behind only a 44-point performance for the Portland Trail Blazers in a 127-118 win over the Washington Wizards on March 12, 2022.

This was Hart’s first 30-point game for the Knicks since he scored 30 against the Pacers in a 128-115 win on February 11, 2025. He also contributed seven rebounds and five assists, despite sitting out the fourth quarter. The Knicks extended their winning streak to four games, even without star guard Jalen Brunson, who rested due to right ankle management.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Jose Alvarado recorded 16 points and 10 assists. Alvarado, who started in place of Brunson, notched his first double-double since April 2, 2025, when he had 17 points and 10 assists for the New Orleans Pelicans in a 107-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

For the Pacers, OG Anunoby scored 26 points with eight rebounds. Mikal Bridges and reserve Jordan Clarkson each added 10 points. T.J. McConnell also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists, while Jarace Walker led Indiana with 16 points. The loss marked the Pacers’ franchise-record 14th straight defeat. Indiana, last in the Eastern Conference, had also suffered a 13-game skid earlier this year.

Obi Toppin scored 15 points off the bench for New York, while starters Aaron Nesmith (14 points), Kobe Brown (13 points), and Ivica Zubac (11 points) also reached double figures.

The Knicks dominated early, holding seven different seven-point leads in the first half. The Pacers briefly rallied to take a 57-51 lead on Walker’s three-pointer with 5:10 left in the second quarter, but New York closed the half on a 22-7 run, with Hart scoring 10 points to give the hosts a 72-64 lead.

Indiana got within six points early in the third, but Towns’ three-pointer pushed New York ahead by double digits for good at 83-71 with 9:27 remaining. The Knicks eventually led by as many as 27 points in the fourth quarter.

Both teams shot over 50% from the field and 43% from three-point range. However, the Knicks took 15 more shots, were helped by 19 offensive rebounds, and committed only nine turnovers.

-Field Level Media/Reuters