Josh Hart became the latest Knick to come up limp with an apparent ankle sprain, hobbling off the court in the fourth quarter of a thrilling 126-124 victory over the Cavaliers.
The forward’s right foot bent inward as he drove and stepped on the foot of Cleveland’s Dean Wade.
Hart was fouled on the play and hit both free throws, but appeared in pain and was quickly subbed out with 7:43 remaining and the Knicks trailing by 12.
He didn’t play again after returning to the bench to witness the comeback, finishing with 15 points in 26 minutes.
After the game, coach Mike Brown said he did not have an injury update.
Jalen Brunson has missed games this season because of an ankle sprain. Miles McBride missed his seventh straight contest Thursday because of an ankle sprain.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart walks off the court after taking foul shots during the fourth quarter on Dec. 25, 2025.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
If Hart misses time, the Knicks this season have used lineups with Mohamed Diawara. Meanwhile, Brown has completely removed Guerschon Yabusele from the rotation. Yabusele picked up his third straight DNP on Thursday.
Karl-Anthony Towns largely struggled Thursday after early foul trouble — finishing with just 11 points in 27 minutes — but had other reasons to celebrate the holiday.
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The 30-year-old got a victory and announced a wedding engagement to his girlfriend Jordyn Woods.
“Playing basketball on any day is special,” Towns said. “Getting a win here on Christmas is special. There’s a lot of special things in my life right now. And this is adding to a special Christmas for me.”
Donovan Mitchell acknowledged Tyler Kolek’s big strip was clean.
“Credit to him, man. I didn’t see him at all,” Mitchell said. “I don’t slow up unless there’s nobody around; he was at the wing. I didn’t know anyone was behind, so credit to him. Hell of a play.
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek strips the ball from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell in the fourth quarter on Dec. 25, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“That is winning basketball, and he’s been unreal, so credit to him. I knew it wasn’t a foul as soon as they called it, so no shock there, but credit to him, though.”
Mitchell was on a breakaway with 1:46 remaining and the Cavs leading by one. Kolek sprinted from behind and hit the ball away as Mitchell elevated for a dunk. The refs called a foul on Kolek but that was reversed after a review.
The play was part of a 32-12 run from the Knicks, with Kolek as the catalyst.