Josh Hart remembers what it felt like to stand on the wrong side of somebody else’s celebration.
Now he wants the New York Knicks to return the favor.
The defending NBA champions will receive their rings before opening the season at Madison Square Garden against a revamped Philadelphia 76ers team headlined by LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.
For Hart, the occasion brings back memories of watching the Boston Celtics celebrate a championship before dismantling the Knicks on their Ring Night two years ago.
This time, Hart would prefer the Knicks play Boston’s role.
“I would love for it to be a Ring Night-esque of Boston the other two years ago when we played them on Ring Night and they just beat the hell out of us,” Hart told Heavy Sports in an exclusive interview.
Then Hart smiled at the possibility of doing the same to Philadelphia.
“I would love to do that that game,” he said.
Josh Hart Expects ‘Electric’ Atmosphere Against 76ers
Getty Josh Hart of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter in Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
There will be no easing into the Knicks’ title defense.
Philadelphia’s offseason transformed a familiar Eastern Conference rival into one of New York’s biggest threats. The addition of James and Brown gives the 76ers even more star power for a rivalry that has already produced postseason history between the two franchises in recent years.
Hart expects Madison Square Garden to reflect the stakes.
“It would be fun,” Hart told Heavy Sports. “The energy would be electric. Obviously, getting our rings would be super cool.”
Then comes the inconvenient part of Ring Night: There is still a game to play.
Hart knows that better than most.
Boston raised its championship banner before facing New York to open the 2024-25 season, then overwhelmed the Knicks, 132-109, while tying the NBA record with 29 made 3-pointers.
The celebration became a warning.
New York will have an opportunity to send one of its own when Philadelphia comes to town.
“Obviously, [it’s] a new opponent who we’ve had several playoff battles with the last couple of years,” Hart said, “and them getting better with adding Jaylen and Bron. So it’s going to be fun.”
LeBron James Reunion Adds Another Layer for Hart
Getty LeBron James and Rajon Rondo of the Los Angeles Lakers help up Josh Hart during a 114-110 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on November 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
James’ presence makes the matchup personal for Hart, too.
The two were teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers during Hart’s first two NBA seasons before Hart was included in the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles in 2019.
Their careers have traveled dramatically different paths since.
Hart eventually found a home in New York, where his rebounding, versatility and willingness to do the less glamorous work made him an essential piece of a championship team. He told Heavy Sports separately that it would be “amazing” to finish his career with the Knicks as he weighs his future while eligible for a contract extension.
Hart has opened up to Heavy Sports this offseason about both his future in New York and the experiences that shaped his championship mentality. The extension-eligible guard made his feelings clear about potentially finishing his career with the Knicks, while also detailing how his father’s advice and lessons learned as an Eagle Scout helped prepare him for the adversity of New York’s title run.
James, meanwhile, arrives in Philadelphia as part of another contender trying to take away what Hart and the Knicks just won.
Knicks Focus on Themselves Amid Eastern Conference Shakeup
The Eastern Conference around them has changed, but Hart said everybody else’s moves cannot dictate New York’s response.
“I still feel like if we’re focused on being the best team that we can be,” Hart said, “at the end of the day, we’ll be in a very good position.”
For one night, however, Hart wouldn’t mind making a statement.
Two years after Boston celebrated its championship and spoiled the Knicks’ night, New York gets the rings.
Hart already knows what he wants to happen next.
Knicks’ Josh Hart Sends Strong Message to LeBron James, 76ers Before Ring Night