The New York Knicks have an injury update regarding shooting guard Josh Hart as the start of the NBA season looms.
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Hart has been dealing with back spasms and, as a result, hasn’t appeared in New York’s last two preseason games. Head coach Mike Brown provided the latest on Hart. He is still unable to practice with his squad, after falling to the ground in pain during the Knicks’ preseason opener in Abu Dhabi, per Zach Braziller of The New York Post.
"He's practiced a few times, played in one game. So you have a feel of what you're going to get from Josh," Brown said. "But the tough part about it is because what we're doing is new, and he hasn't gone through it, he's a little behind in that regard. But he's got a great feel, has watched us enough, he should be able to jump in. He might be a few steps behind, but he should be able to catch up quickly with the guys."
Given that the Knicks are still learning a new system under Brown, who is preparing for his first season at the helm, he spoke on the importance of getting this time in the preseason to better make decisions moving forward.
"We still wanna take a look at some guys," Brown said. "The more minutes I can get guys, the better for us to make decisions, but I'm not 100 percent sure."
Brown is coming off two-and-a-half years as head coach of the Sacramento Kings, going 195-107 before he was fired 31 games into the 2024-25 campaign.
Hart, meanwhile, is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career, averaging 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He did so while averaging an NBA-leading 37.6 minutes per game and an effective field goal percentage of 57.9. The Villanova product is in the second year of a four-season, $80.9 million contract extension he agreed to with New York in 2023.
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