Jalen Brunson Teases Josh Hart for Bloody Foul: “I Think He Deserved It”

2016 Villanova national champion Josh Hart took an elbow to the face during the first quarter of the New York Knicks’ Game 5 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, May 14, drawing a shooting foul that caused blood to pour down his face.

Ever the trooper, Hart didn’t miss a play, changing his bloodstained clothes during the ensuing official review so as to comply with NBA uniform rules before sinking both of his allotted free throws. Hart went on to score a team-high 24 points worth seven rebounds and two assists, playing through the pain for much of his 36 minutes on the court.

Asked about the Knicks’ reaction to the play after New York advanced into the Eastern Conference Finals, Jalen Brunson, Hart’s teammate at Villanova and now with the Knicks, joked about the gruesome looking injury.

“Our team? No one really cared,” Brunson said with a chuckle. “Just Josh. I think he deserved it. I’m happy he’s okay.”

Jalen Brunson on how the Knicks reacted to Josh Hart's eye injury in Game 5: "No one really cared – I think he deserved it" 😭

Jalen adds that he's happy Josh is okay pic.twitter.com/Xs1AHx5raC

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 19, 2025

Roommates while playing for the Wildcats, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart co-host a podcast and often rib each other like only close friends can, Brunson’s light-hearted response just the latest example.

While the Nova Knicks lost Game 5, Hart dropped a triple-double during the decisive Game 6. They’ll begin their next series on Wednesday, May 21, hosting the Indianapolis Pacers starting at 8 p.m.