MoCo Native Josh Hart Helps End Knicks' NBA Title Drought

SILVER SPRING, MD — A 53-year NBA title drought is over for the New York Knicks after the team bested the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Saturday's Game 5.

It was a record win that came with the help of Silver Spring native Josh Hart, who has served as a key contributor to the Knicks team throughout the season.

During Saturday's last match-up against the Spurs, Hart played for nearly 40 minutes and scored 13 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists.

The 31-year-old shooting guard's basketball journey picked up when he began playing in the Montgomery County Recreation League.

Having attended Wheaton High School, he later transferred to the Sidwell Friends private school, where he was recognized as a first-team All-Met selection in 2013.

Hart's NBA title joins the NCAA championship he clinched in 2016 with the Villanova Wildcats, where he made up one-third of what became known as the "Nova Knicks." Current teammates Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges round out the trio.

"We've been built for this moment, forged in the fire," Hart said in post-game interviews. "We were champions before, at the college level. Now, we’re champions as brothers at the ultimate level."

Hart was a first-round NBA Draft pick in 2017, having played for the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers before ultimately landing with the Knicks in 2023.