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Villanova in the Pros

Josh Hart Triple-Double, Bridges, Brunson 20-Pieces Send Knicks to ECF

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Villanova alumnus Josh Hart shoots a three. Image courtesy of Villanova athletics.
Image courtesy of Villanova athletics.

The ‘Villanova Knicks’ trio of Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges powered New York to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in a quarter century on Friday, May 16. Hart notched a triple-double, racking up 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in just 33 minutes.

Bridges and Brunson played 30 and 35 minutes, respectively, as the Knicks put the Celtics in a 30 point hole early in the third quarter. Brunson, who cleared the 30 point barrier in six of 12 games this postseason, tied for the game high with 23 points, pulling down six rebounds and dishing out six assists. Bridges finished just behind his college teammate with 22 points and served as a key defensive presence once again, adding one steal and two blocks along with four rebounds and three assists.

The Knicks will begin their conference finals series against the Pacers at home on Wednesday, May 21: after winning national championships with Villanova in 2016 and 2018 — although Josh Hart only played on the former team— they sit just four wins away from competing for an NBA title.

Fellow Wildcats alumnus Donte DiVincenzo, who played on both those Villanova teams and won an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks as a key role player, also has a chance at a title this season, as his Minnesota Timberwolves made the Western Conference Finals. We could even see the former Wildcats face off against each other with a championship on the line.

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