Ex-Pelicans Josh Hart, Matt Ryan heartbroken by deadly New Orleans attack: Just a tragedy

Josh Hart spent 2 ¹/₂ seasons with the Pelicans, and the outspoken Knicks guard expressed sadness following the fatal attack early in the morning on New Year’s Day in New Orleans. At least 15 people were killed and injured dozens when a driver rammed a pickup truck into a crowd along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter before being killed in a firefight with police. “Obviously, our hearts and prayers go out to the people there that were affected,” Hart said before Wednesday’s game against the Jazz at the Garden.“I loved my time in New Orleans.

Bourbon Street, spent my fair share of time on Bourbon Street.So your heart goes out to everyone there, and your prayers goes out to everyone there. “New Orleans always has had a special spot in my heart.

It’s just tragic what happened.” Hart, who registered his third triple-double this season in Monday’s road win over the Wizards, was traded by the Lakers to the Pelicans in the 2019 Anthony Davis blockbuster before getting dealt again to the Trail Blazers at the 2022 trade deadline. The Knicks acquired the former Villanova star in February of 2023 from Portland in exchange for Cam Reddish and a first-round draft pick. Knicks forward Matt Ryan also appeared in 28 games for the Pelicans last season, and he spent training camp with them earlier this season before he was waived and signed by the Knicks as a free agent. “For sure, it’s tough to see because New Orleans, for people that don’t know New Orleans, it’s just so vibrant, so lively.It’s just a tragedy,” Hart added.

“Bourbon Street, it’s always crazy.People travel to go there, to get there to celebrate New Year’s, Mardi Gras.

Bourbon Street is like a melting pot for all different kinds of people, from races to religion to everything.” New Orleans eventually recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and Hart noted, “it’s a resilient city, and they’ll get through this, too.But like I said, just a ...