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New York Knicks’ Josh Hart in a recent game against the Miami Heat
The New York Knicks have been dealt an unwelcome setback as concerns grow over Josh Hart’s ankle injury sustained on Christmas Day.
What was initially believed to be a minor issue now appears serious enough to sideline Hart for multiple games, creating uncertainty at a pivotal point in the season.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, Hart is still undergoing evaluation after suffering a sprained right ankle and did not travel with the team for their upcoming three-game road trip against the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, and San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks are expected to provide an update once the team returns home.
With New York pushing to maintain momentum in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the timing of the injury is far from ideal.
New York Knicks Face Hart Uncertainty
Hart will not play at any point during the road trip and will be re-evaluated upon the Knicks’ return. While the organization has not offered a definitive timetable for his recovery, the decision to keep him home signals a cautious approach, particularly given his heavy workload and importance to the rotation.
Under head coach Mike Brown, the 30-year-old has emerged as a cornerstone of the Knicks’ identity. New York currently sits second in the Eastern Conference with a 21-9 record, has gone 8-2 over their last 10 games, and recently captured the 2025 NBA Cup.
Known for his durability, rebounding, and defensive versatility, Hart consistently impacts games without requiring high usage on offense. His absence removes a stabilizing presence on both ends of the floor and places added strain on an already shortened rotation.
Through 27 games this season, Hart is averaging 12.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 38.9% from three-point range.
His production has climbed even further as a starter, where across 14 games he has posted 14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.9 steals, and a scorching 41.8% from beyond the arc.
The Absence of Key Contributors
The Knicks’ decision to sideline Hart entirely points to a cautious, long-term approach, prioritising his health over short-term availability. While the move creates immediate challenges, it reflects an effort to avoid aggravating the injury further.
Until a clearer update is provided, New York will need to tread carefully, balancing competitiveness with caution during a demanding stretch of the schedule. The hope within the organization will be that added rest and continued evaluation will prevent the ankle issue from lingering into the latter stages of the campaign.
In the meantime, the Knicks must adjust on the fly, banking on Hart’s absence being brief rather than a drawn-out concern.
There was, however, more encouraging news elsewhere on the injury front. An update was issued on Landry Shamet, who has been sidelined since late November with a right shoulder sprain.
The 28-year-old has progressed to on-court basketball activities and is expected to advance to contact work in the near future. Barring setbacks, Shamet is on track to make a full recovery and is projected to return to action next month, offering the Knicks a timely boost to their backcourt depth.
Matt Evans Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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