The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks have rekindled their rivalry. Josh Hart is still quite active on social media when there is news about the team’s arch rival.
His response to reports of a possible T.J. McConnell extension can be seen in the most recent episode.
Shams Charania of The Athletic said that Indiana is negotiating an extension for the ninth-year guard during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on June 21.
Josh Hart reacted to the news of the Indiana Pacers working to extend T.J. McConnell’s contract. He posted his response on X, formerly known as Twitter.
June 21: “You’re still annoying, but he deserves it,” he tweeted.
The Pacers’ journey to the Eastern Conference Finals the previous season was greatly aided by McConnell.
McConnell Shines Against New York in Semifinals
Hart is aware of McConnell’s influence throughout the seven-game series versus the Knicks. And with good cause.
The 32-year-old defeated New York in the second round of the seven-game series, averaging 11.9 points, 6 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals.
Hart discussed McConnell in advance of the May series versus Indiana, complimenting his work ethic and playing style.
Hart remarked on May 5 that T.J. McConnell was a bothersome little (expletive) who simply ran around, caused commotion, picked up 94 feet, and was incredibly competitive in basketball. We therefore understand that we won’t be able to kick back and relax once Tyrese (Haliburton) leaves. T.J. is a player who any other team in this league could use as their starting point guard.
The whole series, Hart and McConnell exchanged shots. In one-on-one situations, both players shot better than 50% against each other, according to NBA.com’s Matchups tracker. neither made the other force a mistake or stopped their shot.
The most recent jibe directed at the Pacers is what Hart said to McConnell.
Hart, Haliburton Go Back and Forth After Season’s End
Before, Hart’s social media nagging and prodding muse was point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals after sweeping Indiana and New York.
After Haliburton and the Pacers lost, Hart had a message for him. In a podcast episode of “The Roommates Show,” he divulged the specifics of their conversation.
“I believe I said something along the lines of ‘(Expletive) you guys couldn’t win one?” On the May 31 program, Hart stated. “We lost to you in Game 7.” After three leads in the fourth, you guys couldn’t manage even one victory? JB wouldn’t be playing, of course, if we moved on. I’m not sure how I would have been, but I would have attempted to play. We could have accomplished that. Get one at the very least.
A few weeks later, Hart left a remark on Haliburton’s Instagram photo, which included several of the star’s season-appropriate ensembles.
“Began and concluded with poop tantrums,” Hart wrote.
Haliburton answered, “You became an analyst after playing us.”
Hart said, “And somehow we both won the same number of games.”
In the 2024 playoffs, both Indiana and New York concluded the postseason with eight victories.
Following his elimination against the Pacers in the semifinals, Hart agreed to serve as a guest analyst for the NBA Finals.
His remarks on everything Indiana have kept him in the news ever since.
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