Right Mindset, Josh Hart talks about possible substitute in Game 3 against the Pacers

Knicks guard Josh Hart talked about possible substitutes in Game 3 against the Pacers on Sunday.

The schedule of the third game could change significantly as the New York Knicks trailed the Indiana Pacers 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals. One of the potential changes in Game 3 could be the Knicks guard Josh Hart takes the bench. As the Knicks are eager to win and return to the series, it will be very interesting to see what adjustments head coach Tom Thibodeau will make.

Josh Hart talked about the possibility of a seat on the bench ahead of the Knicks' third game against the Pacers, according to the New York Knicks.

"I've been the fifteenth man, the third man, the sixth man, and everything. I really feel like I'm the starter in the league, and I think I've played great this year. If he (Thibodeau) does that, that would be great," Hart said. "I can't sit here, promote sacrifice, say I want to get rid of my personal interests or something, and then make such a decision, and have to act immediately. I don't want to sacrifice, I don't want to do that."

"I'm not that kind of person," Hart continued. "So, if Thibodeau does it-I don't know if he will-I'm fully supportive. I'll play my style, my playing time, whether I'm a substitute or a starter."

Hart's statistics were stable in the Knicks' first loss to the Pacers. He played 44 minutes in the game, scoring 8 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal, and shot 3 of 6 shots. In the second game, Hart's data performance was OK, contributing 6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block within 29 minutes.

If Hart is played as a substitute in Game 3, Mitchell Robinson will replace him into the starting lineup, thereby enhancing the team's roster strength. Tom Thibodeau has always adopted a strict eight-man rotation, with only McBride, Cameron Payne and Mitchell Robinson coming off the bench.

So far, Hart averaged 12.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game in the Knicks’ playoffs, shooting 48.4% from the field, 41.3% from three-pointers and 76.1% from free throws.