ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith strongly urged the New York Knicks to take advantage of the opportunity on Sunday.
First Take host, NBA analyst and avid Knicks fan Smith took the opportunity to urge New York to leave it all on the court as they host the Indiana Pacers for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
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Smith appeared on NBA on ESPN following the Pacers’ 116-103 victory in Game 6 on Friday night.
There, he strongly predicted that Josh Hart, who left the game injured, will face Indiana before insisting that the Knicks will reach the conference finals.
“You’ve been waiting decades to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals,” Smith passionately commented.
“I understand how you feel right now. You didn’t put yourself in this position. Too many injuries. But damn, you’ve reached this point.”
Later, Smith fervently reminded the Knicks that “there is no tomorrow!”
“Do it! Let’s think about [the] Boston [Celtics] and what will happen after that”, he added.
“Do it on Sunday at 3:30 pm ET. Be ready. I don’t give a shit what you have to do!”
Fortunately for Smith and his fellow Knicks fans, Isaiah Hartenstein seemed convinced that Hart would likely play on Sunday.
“Just knowing him, he’ll do anything to play,” he told reporters after the game.
“If his leg isn’t falling off, he’ll probably say he’ll probably play.”
As for the Knicks’ other injured star, OG Anunoby, coach Tom Thibodeau hasn’t ruled out a return for Game 7.
He claimed the decision will depend on “whatever the doctor says”, adding that he is currently “on a day-to-day basis”.
The Knicks will return to Madison Square Garden for the series finale, a potentially crucial factor given that they have yet to lose at home in this series.
“The Garden is the Garden,” Hartenstein told reporters.
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“You get some extra energy and the fans are amazing.”
Sunday’s game will be called by Mike Breen, Doris Burke and JJ Redick on ABC.
They will be joined by Cassidy Hubbarth outside.
NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs
First round
Boston Celts (1) 4-1 Miami Heat (8)
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) 4-3 Orlando Magic (5)
Milwaukee Bucks (3) 2-4 Indiana Pacers (6)
New York Knicks (2) 4-2 Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Conference Semifinals
Boston Celts (1) 4-1 Cleveland Cavaliers (4)
Indiana Pacers (6) 2-3 New York Knicks (2)
The winner will face the Celtics in the Conference Finals, with Game 1 scheduled for May 21.
Boston reached the Finals after a 4-1 series victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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