Knicks swingman Josh Hart suffered an abdominal strain during Friday’s loss at Indiana, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Hart will attempt to play in Game 7 on Sunday afternoon, Charania adds.
New York could also have OG Anunoby back in its lineup on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link), who notes that the versatile forward has been upgraded to questionable on the team’s official injury report. Anunoby has been sidelined since Game 2 with a strained hamstring, and Wojnarowski – having previously reported that the 26-year-old was expected to miss Game 7 – hears that he’ll likely go through shootaround before his status is determined.
Hart, who has been an iron man throughout the playoffs, was limited to about 30 minutes in Game 6. He asked to come out of the game in the first quarter, and even though he was able to return, he was clutching his abdomen during play stoppages.
Hart appeared to get injured while boxing out Pascal Siakam on a missed free throw, according to Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News. Hart grabbed at his abdominal area after the play and bent over in pain. The Knicks have listed him as questionable for Sunday as well.
Hart has been an indispensable part of New York’s postseason success, averaging 14.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists through 12 games. He has also been a fiery leader and has embodied the team’s “next man up” approach through a long series of injuries. He played all 48 minutes in the first two playoff games against Indiana and was logging 40.4 minutes per night in the series before Friday.
Coach Tom Thibodeau wasn’t able to offer any insight into Hart’s condition after Friday’s game, telling reporters “we’ll see” when asked about his availability for Game 7 (video link from New York Post Sports).
“He seems like he’s feeling better now,” Miles McBride said of Hart following the loss. “I’m not sure about the whole situation, but obviously for a guy like that who’s pretty tough, asking out is not a good sign, but I think he’ll bounce back.”
link to yardbarker.com
good reading ……. for basketball fans.
You know we need everyone to play……
All about this gm now. Knicks are down too many players. We got MSG going. Knicks will show up. Pacers better …..
I want the Knicks to win, but does it matter now. The Knicks will get swept by Boston.
Yeah that really stings man. But you have to play to win. We haven’t been to East Finals in a long time. So I guess we have to appreciate that.
Thibs will put Hart on a minutes restriction for game 7. Only 46 minutes.
I think Hart can go. But I’m worried about OG. Don’t want another Mitch situation.
NY understands who these Knicks are. It’s big making it to East Finals . All banged up and limping. But we will show up.
Let’s get it done today — GoNY GoNY Go
Let’s go Knicks!!!! Brunson will show today like he has all these playoff games he deserves to go to the Olympics more than Haliburton