The New York Knicks have been dealt an unwelcome injury update.
Per John Flanigan of SNY.tv, New York will be without starting shooting guard Josh Hart - the best-rebounding non-center in the NBA - for at least the next week.
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This is hardly ideal, as the 6-foot-4 pro has already been out a week.
During the fourth quarter of New York’s eventual Christmas Day comeback win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Hart rolled his foot on Dean Wade.
Hart sprained his right ankle in that holiday showdown.
Following a 111-99 defeat against the flailing Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks revealed that Hart has started engaging in “light court work.”
The Villanova product has been fairly huge for New York this season. Hart is an excellent two-way role player, and it appears new head coach Mike Brown appreciates that now. Brown had been starting center Mitchell Robinson alongside first unit mainstays Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns.
While a solid rim protector and finisher, Robinson lacks the scoring polish or reliability that to this point Hart has been able to muster.
Through 28 healthy bouts for the 21-11 Knicks, Hart has been averaging 8.0 rebounds, 5.1rebounds, and 5.1 assists, while shooting .498/.389/.563 from the floor this year.
A Formidable Slate for New York During This Hart-Less Stretch
Hart will now miss tilts against the 18-14 Philadelphia 76ers, the Detroit Pistons, the 25-9 LA Clippers, and the 20-14 Phoenix Suns. Beyond the Clippers, those are all clubs sporting records above .500.
The Clippers, in a stunner, are 12-21 on the year and riding high on a six-game win streak - the NBA’s best book thus far.
Buoyed by the best efforts of former six-time All-Star swingman Kawhi Leonard, LA suddenly looks, well, shockingly competent. The Clippers are just three games shy of the 15-20 Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference.
Newsweek