As the Knicks try and stave off elimination once again, they were almost without their star trade-deadline acquisition Josh Hart.
No, Hart isn’t injured. Instead, Hart’s wife Shannon gave birth to twin boys Friday afternoon.
ESPN’s Malika Andrews reported, and confirmed by SNY’s Ian Begley, that Hart told her prior to Game 3 that his wife was due “any day now.” The Knicks had contingency plans in place so he could be there for the birth of his children. Those plans included a helicopter, private planes and a police escort on standby.
He would receive that call Friday morning and immediately drove to the airport in Miami to return to New York to be there for the birth of his children. On the way he received the call from the doctor, who told Hart that he wasn’t sure that he’d make it in time.
Hart ultimately decided to return to his hotel room in Miami, where the Knicks set up a makeshift Zoom call so he could be there remotely.
The twin boys were born around 2:30 p.m. and the entire family are doing well.
Andrews also said that no matter the result of Game 6, he will be heading back to New York to be with his family.
In five games in this series against the Miami Heat, Hart is averaging nine points, seven rebounds and three assists.