Josh Hart is listed as doubtful to play in Game 2 of the Knicks’ series against the Cavaliers on Tuesday, the team’s PR department tweets. Hart sprained his left ankle during the Knicks’ Game 1 victory on Saturday.
Hart was able to participate in Monday’s practice on a limited basis, Fred Katz of The Athletic tweets. However, he mainly got treatment on his ankle during practice, according to Ian Begley of SNY TV (Twitter link).
“Just get treatment again tomorrow, see where he is,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.
The injury occurred when Hart landed on Julius Randle‘s foot in the fourth quarter.
We have more from the Knicks:
- Re-signing Hart should be a high priority this offseason, Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post opines. Hart is expected to decline his $12.96MM option this summer in order to become an unrestricted free agent. Vaccaro believes that something a bit north of the four-year, $60MM contract the Knicks gave Mitchell Robinson last summer should get the job done.
- Randle gave the Knicks a huge lift after returning from a left ankle sprain suffered in late March, Begley notes. He had 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals while playing 34 minutes. “Julius played in 77 games until he sprained his ankle. He practiced every day. What you see in the games, what you see in practice — (you know you’re) gonna get whatever he has,” Thibodeau said.
- Immanuel Quickley had a rough outing on Saturday, yet the Knicks’ reserves still outscored Cleveland’s second unit 37-14, Zach Braziller of the New York Post writes. “It’s been huge for us all season,” starter RJ Barrett said of the reserves. Naturally, the bench will be weakened if Hart (17 points, 10 rebounds) can’t go.
- Quentin Grimes is prepared to take on a bigger role if Hart is sidelined, he told Steve Popper of Newsday. “I don’t think it’s really any more pressure,” Grimes said. “I feel like I’ve been guarding the best player from the other team the whole season. So I feel like it’s just another night, just the stakes are a little bit higher. I’m just going to come in a little sharper probably just knowing that if he doesn’t play, I just have to be more alert at all times whenever (Donovan Mitchell) is on the court.”
Four years, $60 million for Hart – I’ll just share his agent’s soon-to-be statement on that… HAHAHAHAHA.
Was thinking the same thing haha
Hart doesn’t have to get paid now. You can do it next yr. So you can manage the cap this off season. Next yr is a very telling yr for Knicks.
And why would anyone…. and I mean everyone. Care about Hart’s contract. When its gm2 of Cavs series. So opine on Hart being out. And who needs to step up. I’d say —
Quickley, Grimes, RJ, McBride in that order. Need to step up.
Cavs can not go down 2-0. So they are coming for it. Knicks Better be ready. Our D and our depth has to show up. Someone has to have a big gm for us. Match DM effort. You know he’s coming.
He has a player option, so yes, he’d have to be paid this off-season if they plan on keeping him.
Hart should have rested. Cavs D was difference. But Knicks missed too many layups. I told you Cavs were coming.
This is going seven. 1st gm at Garden is going to be Nuts. Long series bros. ….