Josh Hart is playing through the pain and hoping the adrenaline boost from the crowd — and the moment — will help him through.
“I think that helps. I think just getting the blood flowing. The competitiveness will help,” Hart said Sunday before Game 7. “I think you always see it with a lot of guys. They’re able to play through stuff and it looks like they got hit by a car when the clock hits zero. So I think that’s definitely a part of it and it’s a blessing this game is at the Garden and you know they’re going to bring it.”
Hart, who suffered an abdominal strain Friday, was in the starting lineup for Sunday’s Game 7 against the Pacers. He was in clear pain — even wincing while putting on his socks pregame — but warmed up before being announced in the starting lineup.
“It’s Game 7 in the Garden,” Hart said. “My whole process even when I went out (Game 6) was, ‘What do I got to do to play?’ That’s my thoughts of it. …At the end of the day, not matter how I think I feel it just depends on how effective I can be. And if I’m not I have to allow other guys to have that opportunity.”
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Hart explained how he sustained the injury in Game 6, when he asked out of the contest and was ruled out in the second half.
“Play was the 18-20 mark. I think (Indiana’s Andrew) Nembhard was going for a box out,” Hart said. “It wasn’t much of a push but kind of pushed me a little bit. I’m not sure what happened. I felt some pain and discomfort after that.
“There were several moments (during that game when I knew I wasn’t right). I know in my mind, I know I’m supposed to do this and that, and then physically not being able to it. It’s part of the game. Obviously the frustrating part of the game.”
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Is he in pain?
“Next question,” Hart said.
Despite the injury, Hart’s teammates all expressed confidence in him giving it a go for the first Game 7 at MSG since 1995.
“I think they know I’m going to do my best to go out there and play,” Hart said. “If I’m out there playing, I’m good and I’m going to give 100 percent of what I got. That’s the love I got for them.”
