Jordan Clarkson is no stranger to making himself the talk of the town wherever he goes. Whether it’s squaring up to fist-fight opponents or celebrating after a three-point basket, Clarkson always finds a way to add a touch of comedy to the mix.

After last night’s 119-102 win over the Washington Wizards, Clarkson had some high praise — and a bit of humor — for his teammate Josh Hart.

Back where it all started

"I think he got a good paycheck, so he's a little bit more of an a--hole now,” Clarkson joked postgame. “Nah, he’s been the same guy, man… brings a lot of energy, does anything you ask of him. Like I said, he’s a winner. Does all the little things, knocks down shots, changes the game in so many ways.”

This isn’t the first time Clarkson and Hart have shared the court as teammates. The two played together during the 2017–18 season with the Los Angeles Lakers before Clarkson was traded at the deadline. Although they didn’t find much success in purple and gold, their chemistry and humor have clearly carried over to New York.

Hart's Impact

Hart finished last night’s win with one of his best outings of the season, recording 12 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists on 71% shooting from the field. He also took home the team’s Defensive Player of the Game award in the locker room — a new tradition head coach Mike Brown has implemented this season.

Hart has given Knicks fans exactly what they’ve been asking for from the 6'4" guard, finally showcasing his aggressiveness in his last two appearances. With Mitchell Robinson still sidelined, rebounding responsibilities have increased across the roster — and Hart has answered the call, crashing the glass with relentless energy.

Clarkson's Contributions

As for Clarkson, he’s been red-hot with the ball in his hands, scoring double digits off the bench in three of the team’s last four games. Against Washington, he tallied 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including two made threes. He became the first Knick with 15+ points on 55% shooting or better in consecutive games off the bench since Immanuel Quickley in 2023.

Both players have transitioned from larger roles to smaller ones under Mike Brown, forcing them to adjust on the fly in the early stages of the season. Clarkson’s minutes have dipped below 20 for the first time in his career, while Hart continues to embrace his new second-unit role.

The results have spoken for themselves — New York’s bench has been a sparkplug over the last two games, and the Knicks will look to carry that momentum through their next five at home.

Who knows what other comments Hart and Clarkson will have for each other next.