The New York Knicks’ Christmas Day game against the Cleveland Cavaliers hasn’t exactly gone as planned. Not only have the Cavaliers led for much of the game, the Knicks have lost starter Josh Hart to an injury. Driving in transition against Cleveland forward Dean Wade with just under eight minutes remaining in the fourth, Hart’s right foot came down on top of Wade’s foot, and his ankle twisted as he crashed to the court.
After a few moments on the court clutching his ankle, Hart hobbled to the free throw line and knocked down both free throws before Jalen Brunson fouled to get him out of the game. He gingerly made his way back to the New York’s locker room and was replaced by Tyler Kolek. Prior to exiting, he had 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists on five-for-nine shooting from the field. If he doesn’t return to the game, his five rebounds would be tied for his fifth-lowest total of the season.
If he’s forced to miss any additional time, Hart would be a major loss for the Knicks. He started 77 games last season and averaged a league-leading 37.6 minutes per game, nearly averaging a double-double. After opening this season on the bench, he re-entered the starting lineup on November 24 and has averaged 14.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game since. New York has won his minutes by 7.1 points per 100 possessions, and the Knicks are 11-3 with the league’s second-best net rating since he re-entered the starting lineup. Hart also had 11 points, eight rebounds, and three assists in New York’s Emirates NBA Cup victory.
