Knicks’ Josh Hart Jokes That Suni Lee or Anne Hathaway Must Attend Playoff Games for Success
In a lighthearted remark, New York Knicks player Josh Hart has joked that the team’s chances of success in their playoff series against the Detroit Pistons depend on the attendance of Olympic gymnast Suni Lee or actress Anne Hathaway. Speaking on the "Roommates Show" podcast with teammate Jalen Brunson, Hart claimed that the presence of either Lee or Hathaway at the Garden is crucial for the team’s star player, OG Anunoby.
According to Yahoo Sports, Hart’s humorous assertion stems from the Knicks’ April 6 win over the Phoenix Suns, where Lee, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was in attendance. Anunoby had a standout performance with 32 points in the win, leading some fans to speculate that the Knicks star’s impressive display was influenced by Lee’s presence.
As reported by Yahoo Sports, Anunoby and Lee have a history of interacting with each other, having taken a photo together after a December game. Additionally, Lee was seen courtside at the Knicks game against the Suns on April 6, where she likely witnessed Anunoby’s impressive performance.
Meanwhile, actress Anne Hathaway has also had a notable interaction with Anunoby. In November, Anunoby accidentally crashed into the front row while trying to track down a loose ball, knocking popcorn all over Hathaway, who later joked on her Instagram about the incident. Hathaway expressed her amusement at the incident, stating, "I almost got crashed into last night! I always wanted that to happen. Thanks OG!" Anunoby responded with a simple "You’re welcome" in the comments.
While Hart’s comments were made in jest, teammate Jalen Brunson offered a more serious insight into Anunoby’s recent performances. Brunson praised Anunoby’s work ethic, stating, "What I’ve seen from [Anunoby] is a person who’s coming in every day, doing his job, working on his game. When we needed it most, he’s just stepped up… He’s obviously a quiet guy, he’s a soft-spoken guy, but when he goes out there he’s a different person — you can see by the way he plays."
As noted by Yahoo Sports, Anunoby had a strong season for the Knicks, averaging 18 points and nearly five rebounds, with a shooting percentage of 47.6% from the field and 37.2% from 3-point range. He particularly excelled from late March into early April, including the game against Phoenix that Lee attended, averaging 27.6 points per game during that period.
Brunson reflected on Anunoby’s late-season surge, saying, "I don’t think any of us up here were surprised. It’s just the timing of what he did, when he did it was just perfect for us and our team." With the Knicks set to face the Pistons in their playoff series, fans will be keeping a close eye on Anunoby’s performance, as well as the attendance of any special guests, including Lee and Hathaway.
The Knicks’ playoff hopes may not actually depend on the presence of Lee or Hathaway, but it’s clear that Anunoby’s recent form has been impressive, and the team will look to build on that momentum in the postseason. As Yahoo Sports reported, Hart’s comments have added a lighthearted touch to the team’s playoff preparations, highlighting the camaraderie and humour within the Knicks’ locker room.
