Josh Hart, Knicks
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Josh Hart reacts during a recent Knicks game as New York awaits his return amid defensive struggles.
The Knicks’ Josh Hart update could not be more timely as New York tries to halt a defensive slide during its recent skid.
The New York Knicks may be on the verge of getting a stabilizing presence back just as their season shows early signs of wobble.
Forward Josh Hart is nearing a return from an ankle injury, according to SNY’s Ian Begley, and the timing could hardly be more important for a Knicks team that has dropped three straight games and seen its defensive identity erode in his absence.
“The Knicks said that he will be re-evaluated next Friday,” Begley reported Sunday. “As noted on Honda Sports Night, Hart is expected to return shortly after that re-evaluation, if not sooner.”
New York is 2–3 without Hart, whose absence has coincided with both a defensive slide and a noticeable dip in tempo. Before getting hurt, Hart was averaging 12.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.4 steals, providing the kind of all-court impact that rarely shows up in a single box-score column.
Why the Knicks’ Josh Hart Update Matters Right Now
The numbers tell a blunt story.
Begley noted that over the past five games — a stretch that aligns almost exactly with Hart’s absence — the Knicks are allowing 122 points per 100 possessions, the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league over that span.
“New York’s point-of-attack defense has been bad over the past two games,” Begley wrote. “And it’s not a coincidence that the five-game stretch coincides with Hart’s absence.”
The contrast is stark. In the month before Hart’s injury, when he had moved into the starting lineup, the Knicks ranked 11th in defensive efficiency, allowing 113 points per 100 possessions.
Hart’s ability to guard multiple positions, rebound out of traffic, and push the ball in transition has quietly been central to the Knicks’ balance — and its disappearance has been felt everywhere from the perimeter to the paint.
Mike Brown Laments Loss of Pace and Flow Without Hart
The frustration boiled over after Friday’s 130–119 home loss to Philadelphia, when the Knicks were booed off their own floor following another flat performance.
Head coach Mike Brown pointed directly to Hart’s absence — and what it has done to the team’s rhythm.
“Having Josh helps a lot,” Brown said. “Our pace right now is not good. Walking up the ball almost every time. It’s been a while… at least the last two games.”
Brown said the Knicks have become too predictable and too static without Hart’s connective energy.
“We want to space the floor correctly,” Brown said. “We want to touch the paint and we want the ball getting reversed. If we don’t have anything on the front side, it’s almost like we’re dead in the water.”
Brunson, Towns Emphasize Depth — But Acknowledge Hart’s Impact
Despite the slump, the Knicks’ stars have resisted panic.
Jalen Brunson, who scored 31 points in the loss to Philadelphia, framed the moment as a test of the roster’s depth.
“It’s a next-man-up mentality,” Brunson said. “Obviously, we miss him, but there’s no excuse for what we should be able to be doing out there.”
Karl-Anthony Towns, who added 23 points and 14 rebounds, echoed that sentiment — while still acknowledging how much Hart matters.
“Of course, we’re going to miss him because he’s a big part of our team,” Towns said. “But the guys in this locker room, every time their number is called, they change the game.”
Towns specifically praised the contributions of Tyler Kolek, Mohamed Diawara, Ariel Hukporti, Trey Jemison III and Guerschon Yabusele as evidence that the Knicks are built to absorb short-term absences.
Hart does not lead the team in scoring, and he rarely headlines highlight reels. But he does something harder to quantify: he connects lineups. Getting him back will not only lift the Knicks’ spirits but also provide a tangible impact on the floor.