Donovan Mitchell. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Knicks star grabs Donovan Mitchell's chain after trash-talking him

By Sai Mohan | Last updated 3/4/24

A rivalry is brewing between the Knicks and Cavaliers. After knocking off the higher-seeded Cavaliers in last year's postseason, the Knicks once again have the number of their Eastern Conference rivals. They took a 2-1 lead in this year's regular season series by beating Cleveland 107-98 on Sunday night.

Impressively, New York pulled off the win after losing star guard Jalen Brunson to a knee injury barely seconds into the contest. Toward the closing stages of the game, Josh Hart — regarded by many as the Knicks' emotional leader — demonstrated exactly why the teams are not fond of each other.

After making a clutch three to give the Knicks a six-point lead, Hart turned around, talked some trash to the Cavs bench and grabbed for Donovan Mitchell's chain. Needless to say, the players on the Cavs bench didn't look pleased. A video of the incident can be seen below.

JOSH HART GAVE DONOVAN THAT TALK ️ pic.twitter.com/4wLYqRao2z
— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) March 4, 2024

After the game, Knicks beat writer Fred Katz revealed that Hart backtracked on his trash talk when he noticed Mitchell’s accessory.

When Josh Hart turned around after that late 3 to extend the Knicks' lead, he intended to say some trash talk to the Cleveland bench. But instead, he noticed a chain Donovan Mitchell was wearing that he liked so he said he just shouted to Mitchell "Oooh that's nice!"
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) March 4, 2024

While it was a light exchange, the fact that Hart turned around and talked trash to the Cavs bench is another sign of things to come if the two teams match up again in the playoffs. Currently, the Cavs and Knicks are seeded third and fourth, respectively, ahead of the fifth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.

Unfortunately, unless the Knicks or Cavs slip in the standings, the chances of them meeting any time before the Conference Finals are slim. To do so, one of the two would have to defeat the streaking Boston Celtics in the second round, the chances of which are even slimmer.

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