Josh Hart is already dealing with several injuries, but the Knicks’ versatile power forward has not yet been ruled out of Wednesday’s game at Miami.
Hart played Monday night against the Cavaliers after being listed as questionable due to an ankle impingement, but left the game with four minutes left in the fourth quarter following a collision at midfield .
Hart was once again listed as questionable for the Heat game with what the team has now classified as a lower leg contusion.
Hart averaged 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in 33 minutes per game in three starts this season. If he is unable to play Wednesday night, he will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Miles McBride.
With just under five minutes left in Monday’s loss to the Cavs, Hart collided with Caris LeVert while fighting for a loose ball and fell to the ground in pain.
He stayed in the game briefly and made two free throws, but exited the game at the next timeout and limped back to the locker room with 4:04 remaining.
Hart did not return to the bench or speak to reporters afterward, finishing the game with 16 points, 13 rebounds and three steals in 38 minutes.
“It’s hard to see anyone not finish the game and you want your brothers to finish the game with you,” teammate Jalen Brunson said. “I mean, we’ll see. I don’t know what the situation is, but we’ll see in the future.
With two new starters after trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns, Hart admitted to being unsure of his role during the preseason. But he has a double-double in each of the team’s last two games.
“You know it’s going to be the same no matter what,” Thibodeau said of Hart. “Whether he starts, whether he comes off the bench, you know he’s going to fit in. And he has been there. So there are just, in pre-season, new pieces. You have to go through this.
Kevin Love (personal reasons) is out for the Heat.
