Knicks' Josh Hart knew he had to step up against Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo with OG Anunoby sidelined

Josh Hart just continues stepping up for the shorthanded Knicks.

The spark-plug was inserted into the starting lineup for the third consecutive game and he delivered another all-around effort to help secure a win over the Bucks in the NBA Cup Group Play finale.

Hart reached the 40-minute mark for the first time this season.

He recorded a 15-PT, 19-REB double-double and finished just three assists shy of his second triple-double of the season.

Perhaps his biggest contribution came on the other end of the court, though.

With star defender OG Anunoby sidelined to a hamstring injury, Hart was tasked with serving as the primary defender against Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Though Giannis finished with 30 points in his return from injury, the 30-year-old held his own in the matchup and took home the Defensive Player of the Game.

“I knew I was going to get beat up there,” Hart joked. “For me, obviously we don’t have OG who is an extremely physical defender and we always put him those matchups, so with him out I knew I kind of had to step it up a little bit.

“We talked about being more physical on the ball -- that’s something I’ve been trying to do the past few games and I’ve got to continue to do that and try to set the tone, at least while I’m starting and in those types of positions.”

New York has won all three games with Hart in the starting lineup.