Not only did the New York Knicks fail to close out their series against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, they lost Josh Hart to an injury. Moments ago, Shams Charania of The Athletic provided an update on the Villanova product.
According to Charania’s report, Hart suffered an abdominal strain in Game 6. Obviously, that’s not what Knicks fans wanted to hear.
Despite not being close to 100 percent, Hart is going to try to play in Game 7 this Sunday.
Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein told reporters Friday night that he expects Hart to suit up for the team’s win-or-go-home game against the Pacers.
“He’ll do whatever to play,” Hartenstein said. “If his leg’s not falling off, he’ll probably play.”
Hart is averaging 14.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game this postseason. If he’s not able to be a key contributor, the Knicks will need someone else to step up. Maybe, just maybe, that player will be OG Anunoby.
Anunoby suffered a hamstring strain in Game 2. He has been out for the past four games because of it. That being said, he’s questionable for Game 7.
If Anunoby and Hart battle through injury, that might give the Knicks an emotional lift as they try to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in over two decades.