Josh Hart is not one to toot his own horn.
Hart, who is one of the Knicks’ most versatile players, is known for his selflessness on the court, often letting his teammates make the winning shot and ceding the spotlight. He is not a show-off — except, maybe, when it comes to his hair.
The shooting guard for the Knicks is known for his intricate braids, which go beyond straight-back cornrows or mini braids. Hart’s style veers closer to art — spelling out “NY” or the “I 
NY” logo, with the heart symbol braided at his crown.
“It’s just kind of, like, my way to show love to a city that’s really embraced me and, you know, accepted me,” Hart, 31, said in a promotional video for the N.B.A. (Hart is from Silver Springs, Md.)
Over the last few years, Hart has primarily turned to Sandra Finn, a 39-year-old hairstylist in Houston, and Shanna St. Cyr Alexander, a 32-year-old hairstylist in New York, for these elaborate designs, which typically take about two hours to complete.
“When he first asked me to braid the New York logo into his hair, I immediately said yes, before I even knew if I could even do it,” said Finn, who planned to braid Hart’s hair ahead of Game 5 of the N.B.A. Finals in San Antonio on Saturday.
With all eyes on the Knicks as they stage a momentous N.B.A. playoffs run, Finn and St. Cyr Alexander spoke to The Times in a joint interview about their creative process and how they get Hart ready to bring his A-game style onto the court. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed.
How did you both decide you wanted to do hair for a living?
SHANNA ST. CYR ALEXANDER I grew up in a family that did hair. By the time I was 10 years old, I was already doing other people’s hair. That’s my way of expressing myself, of being creative. I had always done it on the side, like my whole life, even in college. I quit my 9-to-5, and it’s been seven years full time.
SANDRA FINN I feel like I manifested this life. I always said: I’m going to grow up and do celebrities’ hair. In high school, I went to work for my local barbershop, who needed a braider, and I just went all in on braiding. I never had to have any other job in my life. After high school, I got my cosmetology certification, and I had a son at 18 years old, and braiding has provided a life for me and him and my family.
How did you and Josh Hart cross paths? And how often do you work together?
FINN I had been doing a few basketball players around the league, including Gerald Green, who played for the Rockets, and Josh saw what I did for him and just reached out to me. People like Josh and Gerald are really drawn to using hair as a creative outlet.
We work together for the big events. Then, traditionally, it’s been the first game of the playoffs every year for the past three to four years, or when he comes into Houston. Sometimes, he’ll fly me out.
ST. CYR ALEXANDER I started doing Josh’s hair when he moved to New York in 2023. Like Sandra, he reached out to me on Instagram.
Whenever he’s in the city and the season is on, it’s easier for me to go to him. He always works around my schedule.
Tell me about the creative process.
FINN One of the things I appreciate the most is that he gives me the freedom to be creative, while also sharing his own ideas and vision.
ST. CYR ALEXANDER We are artists and I feel like Josh allows us to be that. He is one player whose hair is always intact, and I feel like that comes with his personality. It’s not just about getting his hair out of his face, it’s also about displaying who he is. I feel like hair is an expression of who you are. Josh likes his hair well kept, you know, and as a person, that’s who he is. He often brings me ideas, and I bring him some, and we just put our minds together and make magic happen. With Josh, it’s never just a simple style; he’s not that person. And I like a challenge.
What are some things you consider when braiding an athlete’s hair?
FINN Working with athletes like Josh is unique because their hairstyle is a part of their personal brand. Fans recognize the design and the styles and it’s seen by millions on television and social media. There’s a lot of pressure to execute the design perfectly. But it’s rewarding, because it allows me to showcase braiding like art on a larger stage. And to be honest, these guys are out there sweating, and getting your braids wet is one of the worst things you can do, because they get loose, they get fuzzy. It’s an aggressive sport too. The braids are not gonna last like they would a normal person.
So how often does he get a refresh?
ST. CYR ALEXANDER I feel like Josh changes his hair every round, so for the playoffs, then the Eastern Conference finals, then N.B.A. finals. So I did his hair for Game 1.
FINN I’m actually going to San Antonio in time for Game 5. Josh called me the other day. I’ll make the drive. It’s three hours, but it’s, you know, the finals.
Who are you rooting for in the final?
ST. CYR ALEXANDER THE KNICKS!
FINN In San Antonio, I don’t know if I can wear my jersey, but I’m gonna be in a Knicks hat for sure.
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