The King of Boards: Just How Good Has Josh Hart Been This Postseason?

Josh Hart is listed at 6-foot-4. That’s a height you'd typically associate with scoring guards, maybe perimeter defenders—not someone who plays like a relentless rebounding machine with the engine of a diesel truck and the instincts of a 10-year vet in the trenches. And yet, here we are, deep into the 2024-25 playoffs, talking about a 6-foot-4 guard who’s averaging more rebounds than the likes of Jarrett Allen, Paolo Banchero, Isaiah Hartenstein, and even Evan Mobley.

In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks clawed their way back into the series with a gritty 106-100 win over the Indiana Pacers. While Karl-Anthony Towns stole the spotlight with a fourth-quarter explosion—20 of his 24 points came in the final frame—and Jalen Brunson once again delivered in the clutch, it was Josh Hart who quietly did what he always does: make winning plays when it matters most.

Hart was thrust into a bench role for the first time this entire season—regular and postseason combined—due to New York opting for a double-big starting lineup. But the change in role did nothing to dull his impact. He played 34 minutes, scored 8 points on just three shots, added 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. The Knicks were +5 with him on the floor. More importantly, Hart played all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter, anchoring the comeback with hustle, defense, and smart decisions.

Let’s dissect that fourth quarter. Every minute was a masterclass in what makes Hart so valuable:

• Early in the quarter, he grabbed an offensive rebound off a McBride miss and kicked it out to a wide-open Towns for a three-pointer that set the tone.

• Moments later, he picked Siakam’s pocket, pushed the ball in transition, and delivered an on-target pass to Towns, who finished through contact.

• With under two minutes left, Hart skyed for a rebound after Bridges got blocked, saving a key possession.

• Then, with less than a minute to go and the Knicks clinging to a slim lead, Hart boxed out Myles Turner, soared for the board, drew a foul, and calmly drained two free throws.

• Finally, with the Pacers desperately launching one last three, Hart again snagged the rebound, got fouled, and iced the game at the line.

This wasn’t just hustle. It was intelligent, timely, big-moment basketball. And it wasn’t an isolated incident. It’s been the theme of Josh Hart’s entire postseason.

Through the playoffs, Hart is averaging 12.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 48.0% from the field, 39.6% from deep, and 78.8% at the line. His true shooting percentage sits at a robust 60.9%. These are not empty numbers. They are high-efficiency, low-mistake, momentum-shifting numbers.

His rebounding deserves special mention. Hart ranks 13th in total rebounds per game across the entire playoffs, ahead of a who's-who of elite big men. Even more astonishing? He’s averaging 2.3 offensive rebounds per game—tied with Jarrett Allen and more than Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic, and Bam Adebayo. That’s absurd. Hart is 6-foot-4. He’s a guard. But the man rebounds like he's 6-foot-10.

It's not just the numbers. It’s how and when he gets them. Hart doesn’t pad stats; he gets crucial rebounds in the fourth quarter, at both ends of the floor, often against bigger, stronger players. He reads the ball off the rim, times his jumps, carves out space, and shows no fear flying into traffic. The Knicks’ late-game possessions often begin—or are extended—because Josh Hart refuses to let the play die.

On defense, Hart isn’t quite the lockdown guy that OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges are, but he’s a nightmare for most guards and wings. In the Eastern Conference Finals so far, he’s held Andrew Nembhard to just 3 points on 1-for-4 shooting over 54 partial possessions. In earlier series, Hart smothered Jaylen Brown and Tobias Harris across 141 and 130 possessions respectively—holding them to just 35 and 17 total points combined.

Hart’s versatility shows in the box scores and on tape. He guards multiple positions, rotates quickly, closes out under control, and bodies up bigger players without fouling. He never cheats effort. He’s strong, shifty, and relentless, and he brings a level of physicality rarely seen in players his size.

Even in a regular season defined by high minutes and low maintenance, Hart thrived. He led the league in minutes per game at 37.6 and still averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals on 52.5% shooting. His true shooting percentage? 61.6%. Again, for a 6-foot-4 combo guard.

The rebounding numbers in particular remain outrageous. His 9.6 boards per game tied Bam Adebayo for 13th in the league. He was the only player under 6-foot-7 in the top 45 rebounders. Hart isn’t just good “for his size”—he’s elite, period.

And let’s not forget his all-around contributions. His 5.9 assists per game come with only 1.7 turnovers. That’s a guard-level playmaker operating with forward-level efficiency. He hits threes, cuts with purpose, plays in transition, and does the little things no one wants to do. When he’s on the floor, the Knicks’ offense flows smoother, and their defense rotates tighter. He’s the glue, the grit, the extra possession that wins playoff games.

Oh, and by the way—he’s done all this after signing a 4-year, $80.9 million extension last summer. For a two-way, plug-and-play, do-everything wing who averages nearly a double-double and can survive 40 minutes a night in the playoffs, that deal might already be one of the best bargains in the NBA.

Game 3 was a statement. The Knicks are still alive. Hart is still grinding. And with players like Brunson, Towns, and Hart all rising in big moments, this Knicks team—down 2-1 in the series—is far from finished.

Josh Hart may not be the flashiest name. He won’t headline All-Star voting. But if you’re trying to win playoff games, if you’re trying to take back momentum against a tough opponent in the Conference Finals, there are very few players in the league you’d rather have on your side.

This version of Josh Hart? He's not just a role player. He’s a weapon. He’s a mentality. He’s the heartbeat of a team that just refuses to die.

And if basketball had a title like “Best Pound-for-Pound Rebounder,” Josh Hart would already have his banner in the rafters.