Josh Hart sparks outrage with 'dirty' move in NBA Finals as Knicks star avoids ejection

Matthew NeschisSat, June 6, 2026 at 2:17 AM UTC

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Josh Hart received a flagrant foul for tripping Devin Vassell in Game 2 of the NBA Finals -Credit:Getty Images (Getty Images)

NBA fans did little to hide their frustration with Josh Hart after the Knicks star committed a "dirty" foul in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

With just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter of Friday's contest, Hart attempted to back down Devin Vassell at midcourt, but had the ball poked away from him. The 31-year-old promptly hit the deck to try and retrieve the loose ball, which was kicked down the court by the Spurs shooting guard.

As Vassell rushed towards the Knicks' basket, Hart reached out and grabbed his ankle, sending him tumbling down. Though no foul was initially called during the bang-bang incident, official Tony Brothers announced the play was being reviewed for a "hostile act." Earlier in the night, blues singer KELS' turned heads with her rendition of the 'Star Spangled Banner.'

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Following a review, Brothers ruled that Hart's trip rose to a flagrant foul penalty-1, as the contact was "unnecessary." While the shooting guard wasn't ejected from the contest, Vassell was subsequently awarded two shots at the free throw line with the Spurs additionally receiving possession.

Taking to social media, droves of viewers slammed Hart for the play while arguing that he should be further penalized. "Dirty play from Josh Hart. Would not be surprised if he gets suspended for that," one X user wrote, with another adding: "Knicks are a dirty team. In the regular season Josh Hart would've been ejected for that s---."

A third chimed in, "Very dumb choice by Josh Hart. Vassell was never going to get that ball to begin with. These are the mistakes you make in the first round… not now."

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ABC commentator Richard Jefferson briefly attempted to plead Hart's case, insinuating that he may have not intentionally tried to trip Vassell. "Yes, it's a trip," he said, "But I'm saying ... Josh Hart wasn't looking.

"I'm gonna say that they're probably gonna call the foul. That's just me. I'm going out the limb here."

Fellow commentator Tim Legler insisted that Hart's actions more than warranted an upgraded foul, stating: "To me though the hand reached out, touched him, and then it lingered there for a bit. I think that's what differentiates [it] a little bit.

"Pushes it, and then it just ind of stays wrapped around his ankle."

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Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”