Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart reciprocated the love to Knicks fans Sunday.
Following the season-ending 130-109 loss to the Pacers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the two Villanova products interacted with fans outside Madison Square Garden.
With fans behind barricades, Brunson, with his fractured left hand in a cast, slapped fans’ hands with his right hand for a short time, before exiting in a black car, as shown in an X video.
Shortly afterward, Hart emerged from a separate car and dapped fans standing behind the barricades.
Warning: Explicit language
The two fan favorites felt the love from Knicks fans all season long, especially during this playoff run that came to a disappointing end Sunday at MSG.
The under-manned Knicks ran out of gas — and bodies — and put forth a defensive effort only a mother could love in Game 7, allowing the highest single-game shooting percentage in NBA playoffs history.
Brunson had an off night when his team needed him the most prior to fracturing his hand, shooting 6-for-17 from the field and finishing with 17 points in 29 minutes.
He missed the entire fourth quarter as Indiana iced the victory.
Brunson averaged 32.4 points and 7.5 assists this postseason.
“We didn’t use excuses and we kept finding ways. That was our mindset. I’m so glad we had that mindset,” Brunson said. “The outcome isn’t what we wanted but the way we fought … it was awesome.”
Hart gave it his all despite having an abdominal strain that had him questionable to play.
While OG Anunoby tried to play, but could only last minutes due to his limited mobility, Hart somehow gutted through 37 minutes before fouling out.
He scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out eight assists and even grabbed two steals.
Hart received a standing ovation for his efforts.
The Knicks’ iron man averaged an absurd 42.1 minutes per game this postseason.
“It wasn’t in the cards for us,” Hart said.
Both Brunson and Hart are under contract for next season, giving them another chance to return to the Eastern Conference finals after losing in the semifinals in back-to-back seasons.
