After turning into a full-time starter for the New York Knicks last season, Josh Hart is back on the bench under new coach Mike Brown. Hart has primarily been a sixth man for the Knicks in their first five games of the campaign.
Speaking to Fred Katz and James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, Hart made his feelings clear about his role for the Knicks. He prefers coming off the bench at all times rather than being a spot starter like in his previous stints with teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Portland Trail Blazers.
“I’m cool with not starting. That’s what I want to do for the season. For me, there’s a different way to approach it mentally. If I’m not going to start, I’m totally cool with it. I don’t want to be, like, the next starter up because then everything is varying by game. I want more of a consistent role so that I can affect that role,” Hart said.
Last season, Hart averaged 13.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Those were career highs in rebounds, assists, and steals. He also set the Knicks record for most triple-doubles in a season with nine.
However, it’s a different story this season for the 30-year-old swingman. He is currently averaging 5.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in just 23.0 minutes per game.
—
**Hart Scores 14 in Win, Shares Nerve Damage Injury**
The New York Knicks welcomed the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on Sunday in a rematch of their NBA Cup game from the previous Friday, which the Bulls won. Determined not to suffer another loss, Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to a 128-116 victory. He scored 31 points along with five rebounds and three assists, while OG Anunoby contributed 21 points and four assists.
On the Bulls’ side, Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges added 10 points, five rebounds, and nine assists.
Josh Hart had his best game of the season so far, scoring 14 points off the bench and grabbing nine rebounds. Jordan Clarkson also added 15 points as the Knicks handed the Bulls their first loss of the season.
After the game, Hart revealed to reporters that his offseason surgery on his ring finger didn’t work and that he will likely need another procedure after the season ends. Undergoing surgery immediately would require a three-month recovery—time the Knicks cannot afford right now.
To make matters worse, Hart has been experiencing numbness and a loss of feeling in his finger due to the injury, as reported by SNY. The numbness is affecting parts of his shooting hand, which is especially concerning.
—
**Mike Brown Unaware of Hart’s Nerve Injury**
Following the Knicks’ win over the Bulls, head coach Mike Brown was asked about Hart’s revelation regarding his nerve injury. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Brown was surprised, stating it was the first time he had heard of the injury.
Despite this, Brown reassured fans that the team’s vice president for sports medicine, Casey Smith, is closely monitoring Hart’s recovery. Brown praised Hart’s performance against Chicago and sent a warning to opposing teams to be prepared when Hart is fully healthy.
The Knicks and their fans will hope Hart can overcome his injury and return to the high level of play he showed last season.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/new-york-knicks/josh-hart-bench-role-nerve-injury/
