INDIANAPOLIS — Josh Hart is preparing for changes.
The Knicks likely will not be the same next season, as much as Hart would like to see the same roster return.
“You’re always going to hear me say, ‘Run it back,’ ” Hart said after the Knicks’ season ended in dismal fashion with a 125-108, Game 6 loss to the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. “I think you heard me say the same thing last year with the guys we had. I’d like to do it. I feel like this team is good enough to make the next step. But it’s a business. And when you don’t get to where you feel like you could’ve or should’ve, changes are made.”
It will be interesting to see how the Knicks proceed after reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.
The entire core of Hart, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride are under contract for next season.
Coach Tom Thibodeau called it a “big offseason” coming up.
Brunson said he was “the most confident” the current group can take the next step.
But Hart has seen enough in his time in the NBA to know that things can change.
“This is my eighth year. This is my fourth organization. I’ve had six or seven coaches,” Hart said. “It’s tough, we’re going to have to see. Don’t think you can ever be too comfortable. I’ll open [the X app] one day and I’m somewhere else. That’s what’s disappointing the most, knowing there’s a good chance this team might not be back in totality.”
Former Knick Obi Toppin saved his best moments of the series for the final game.
Toppin hammered the Knicks off the bench, scoring 18 points and adding six rebounds in 25 minutes.
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He was part of a monster effort by the Indiana reserves.
They had 38 points.
Forward Thomas Bryant scored 11 points and hit three 3-pointers.
He logged a total of nine minutes in the previous four games.
What’s happening on and off the Garden court
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Thibodeau said he went to Delon Wright over the final four games of the series instead of Cam Payne because he wanted more size against Pacers backup guard T.J. McConnell.
As for Landry Shamet, Thibodeau said he didn’t play much in the Celtics series because Boston was only going eight deep and the idea was to match up Bridges and Anunoby against Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
