Josh Hart is usually the Knicks energizer and engine. But after a preseason injury, he’s not his usual self.
He missed the last four preseason games with lower back spasms, then missed their season-opening win over the Cavaliers. Hart made his debut Friday in the win over the Celtics.
In Sunday’s loss in Miami, Hart played 29 minutes and recorded six points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal, along with three turnovers.
He is just 3-for-13 from the field across the two games and has missed all five of his 3-point attempts.
“I think, honestly, just for me, it’s more so trying to get my wind,” Hart said after Sunday’s loss. “Today was a tough one in terms of energy and stuff like that. Obviously being down [Miles McBride] hurt us in terms of, that’s a guy that can knock down shots, pick the ball up and push the pace. So on a day like this, where I don’t have it and I’m still trying to get my legs in, someone like that is perfect for me to be like, ‘You know what? Go get me. Deuce you get in.’
“It’s learning and growing for me but more so trying to get my legs under me. There were a lot of possessions where I was like, mentally, ‘I’ve gotta get out here,’ and then I was a step slow.”
Hart is also adjusting to a new role on the bench.
He started all 77 regular-season games he appeared in last year before Mitchell Robinson replaced him in the starting lineup toward the end of the postseason.
Robinson (left ankle injury management) has not yet suited up this year, but coach Mike Brown stuck to his plan to use Hart as a bench player, instead inserting McBride and Ariel Hukporti into the starting lineup.
Robinson was ruled out again for Tuesday’s game in Milwaukee. Karl-Anthony Towns (right quad strain) and Guerschon Yabusele (left knee sprain) are questionable.
McBride, who missed Sunday’s loss due to personal reasons, also is questionable.
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