Josh Hart’s energy and ability to spark his Knicks teammates is usually a given. But one part of his game has elevated and been a pleasant surprise for the Knicks. Through two games of this Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Celtics, Hart is shooting 42.1 percent (8-for-19) from 3-point range.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- The Knicks are massive underdogs heading into their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the Boston Celtics, but Josh Hart says he and his teammates don’t give a hoot. “I don’t care,” Hart said Sunday at the Knicks’ practice facility. “If we’re counted out already, then we should play with a great level of freedom.

It was, as it often is, Josh Hart. He saw the team in a 20-point hole in the third quarter, saw the leprechaun leading cheers around the parquet floor and decided he’d seen enough of the Knicks getting kicked around.