Josh Hart stats today: How Knicks role player’s bounce-back was the difference in Game 2 win vs. Cavs

Josh Hart stats today: How Knicks role player’s bounce-back was the difference in Game 2 win vs. Cavs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Josh Hart came to life in the Knicks' 109-93 win over the Cavaliers on Thursday night.

The Villanova guard entered Game 2 in torrid jump-shooting form, clanking more attempts than he expected in his previous few games. Cleveland dared him to shoot in the contest, giving him acres of space as the action wore on.

More often than not, Hart made them pay, authoring up a scoring outburst that fueled New York to a momentous victory and a 2-0 series advantage.

Here's what you need to know about Hart's memorable display on Monday night.

MORE: Why the Cavs are employing "Hack-a-Mitch" strategy against Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson 

Josh Hart stats today

Final score: Knicks 109, Cavaliers 93

• Minutes: 33
• Points: 26
• Rebounds: 4
• Assists: 7
• Steals: 2
• Blocks: 0
• TOs: 1
• PF: 5
• FG: 10-21
• 3P: 5-11
• FT: 1-2

Hart put forth a career-best outing in the Garden, posting a career-high 26 points to power New York's attack. With Jalen Brunson held fairly quiet, the Knicks were in desperate need for a talisman to spearhead its offensive exploits.

Enter Hart, a quality role player who drew a bit of scrutiny for his three-point shooting in Game 1. Hart responded with aplomb in Game 2, canning five of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc. He tied his playoff career high in three pointer made with his outburst on Thursday night.

Hart boasted a 41.3 percent three-point percentage during the regular season. His long-range exploits had failed him as of late, with the Villanova product hitting just seven of his last 28 open three-point attempts, per ESPN's Stats and Info..

After the game, Hart commented on his bounce-back effort and how being under-guarded allowed him to make a difference in the Game 2 victory.

"I knew that's what the game plan was going to be. I've just been working." @joshhart tells @saltersl he has no problems with the Cavs forcing him to shoot 😤 pic.twitter.com/OnlZYXl6D1— ESPN (@espn) May 22, 2026

MORE: How much does Spike Lee pay for his courtside Knicks tickets?

Josh Hart's season stats

• 12.0 points per game
• 7.4 rebounds per game
• 4.8 assists per game
• 1.1 steals per game
• 0.3 blocks per game
• 1.9 turnovers per game
• 50.8 percent field goal shooting
• 41.3 percent 3-point shooting
• 72.0 percent free throw shooting 

How old is Josh Hart?

Hart is 31 years old, having been born on March 6, 1995.

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ:Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket

Josh Hart contract details

Hart is in the third year of the four-year, $80.9 million deal he inked with the Knicks ahead of the 2024-25 season. A rebounding savant of sorts for his size, Hart has been good money for value. He's the fifth highest-paid player on New York's payroll in 2025-26, taking home about $19.5 million. He's slated to receive a slight boost to his salary in 2026-27 — assuming, of course, that New York picks up his club option.