Not what an already short handed Knicks team needed to say the least
While we recently got some great news surrounding the nearing return of OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson, we also just got some potentially concerning news surrounding Josh Hart. The veteran guard has been incredible for the Knicks this year, averaging 14.4PPG, 9.6RPG, and 5.7APG, while shooting 55.4% from the field. But over the last couple of weeks, he has started to show up on the team’s pre-game injury report with a sore knee. Now, Hart has played in all but one game this season, and he’s been very durable despite his at times helter-skelter play.
Players all around the league get listed on injury reports with sore knees relatively often, so it didn’t seem like something too concerning, especially since Hart has continued to go out there and provide the Knicks with good minutes on most nights. But a report came out on Tuesday afternoon that gave fans a reason to worry a bit going forward.
While there is no official diagnosis or word on if Hart will need any sort of surgery done once the season is over, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported that Hart could need a corrective procedure on the knee once the season is over.
When asked about his knee, Hart responded, “I don’t know. We’ll see what it calls for at the end of the season. But, like I said before, I’m a servant to (my teammates) this year. I want to make sure I put these guys in the best situation. It’s not just for them. It’s also for (Tom Thibodeau). I want to make sure that I’m available to him, I want to make sure when I’m out there, I’m playing at a high level and playing the game the way I know how to play. If I’m out there, I’m healthy enough. And I’m good.”
He is obviously still good enough to go out there and play the big minutes he continues to play. But as the season goes on, and the wear and tear of said season starts to impact players, this may become something that the Knicks, and fans need to keep an eye on. And that becomes even more true if the Knicks end up making any sort of playoff run. They’ll need the best version of Hart to do so, but there is now a worry that the more he plays, the more pain he could be in going forward. Again, without knowing the full diagnosis or nature of the injury, it’s all speculation.
At the end of the day, it could end up being something that is more about pain management and doesn’t get any worse. Regardless, this is not something you want to hear about a crucial player playing on a Knicks team that already lacks depth.