The Knicks‘ very impressive eight-game winning streak came crashing down on Friday in spectacular fashion, as the team–playing without Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby–was wiped out by the Pistons, 118-80. That would have been bad enough on its face, except that there was injury mixed in with the insult. The Knicks saw starting guard Josh Hart leave the floor with an ankle injury.
There is hope that Towns (who took a hit to the eye in the Knicks’ thrilling win over the Nuggets) and Anunoby (toe soreness) will be short-term scratches. But for Hart, the return of an ankle problem is a big-time concern.
Hart has been dealing with an injury to his right ankle since Christmas (and really, even before that), and missed eight games with the injury. Though he has been back on the floor, he has not appeared entirely comfortable and perhaps returned to action too soon. Now, the Knicks have a tough decision to make: They may need to keep Hart out through the All-Star break.
Josh Hart Could Get 12 Days Off
That would give Hart 12 days off before he would play again–the Knicks return to action after next week’s All-Star action on February 19 against the Pistons at home. Depending on the severity of Hart’s injury, that would be a good target for a return.
In the meantime, though, that plan would mean Hart missing three games before the break, including a big afternoon meeting with the Celtics. Boston has managed to keep pace with the Knicks throughout New York’s winning streak, as the Celtics are on a 10-wins-in-13-games stretch of their own. They moved a game ahead of the Knicks in the standings on Friday with a comeback win over the Heat.
Boston is No. 2 in the conference, 4.5 games behind the No. 1 Pistons. The Knicks are 5.5 games out. Hart would also potentially miss the Tuesday-Wednesday back-to-back against Indiana and in Philadelphia.
Knicks Record Is 6-6 When He Does Not Play
The Knicks are 33-19 overall, and they are 27-13 in games that Hart has played. They’re just 6-6 when he does not play.
While Knicks coach Mike Brown did not have a postgame update on Hart, his teammate and longtime friend Jalen Brunson was hopeful that Hart could get back on the floor sooner rather than later.
“He’s a gamer,” Brunson said. “He’s going to do whatever he can to help his team win, regardless of how he feels or whatever. It’s just who he is.”
That’s admirable, but the fact that Hart has been dealing with the ankle problem this long suggests that some time off would be the wiser course.
Knicks May Be Forced to Make Tough Decision on Injured Starter