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Josh Hart reveals hilarious motivation for Knicks to beat Magic

March 9, 2024
by Dan Benton
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Josh HartNew York KnicksOrlando Magic
Josh Hart wearing a headband

Mar 11, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks, led by Josh Hart and the returning Jalen Brunson, defeated the Orlando Magic, 98-74, at MSG on Friday night.

The defensive performance was the best by a Knicks team since 2012 and the 74 points surrendered were the lowest by an NBA team this season. The victory also snapped a five-game winning streak for the Magic and thrust New York back into the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference.

There was plenty of motivation for the Knicks to come out strong in that key contest but none more than avoiding the Magic’s social media team, Hart told reporters after the game.

“It was so important because I didn’t want to see Orlando Magic put us on TikTok with their song with some cows dancing, which is a banger,” Hart said with a laugh. “No, but obviously we knew it was gonna be a big game. . . We had to come out with confidence and energy. Remembering to play our brand of basketball.”

But Hart still had Orlando’s catchy jingle in mind.

“It was good for us to go out there and have a game to build confidence and not hear, ‘Orlando Magic, Orlando Magic.’ Boy, that’s a banger! Whoever made that song is really going places,” Hart added.

The song Hart referenced is a remix created by Ayo The Producer. The lyrics are simple — “Orlando Magic! Orlando Magic! — and the team’s social media department regularly pairs it with a viral meme when they defeat an opponent.

Hart isn’t wrong… That tune is quite catchy but only when you’re not on the losing end of things. And on Friday night, the Knicks weren’t.