Josh Hart Injury Update
Josh Hart exited Thursday’s Christmas Day matchup between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden with an ankle injury midway through the fourth quarter, adding another concern for a Knicks group already grinding through a demanding holiday stretch after Monday’s loss. New York was trailing by double digits when Hart went down, but the Knicks still managed to claw back into a tight finish without their do-it-all wing. Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) reported on X that Josh Hart headed to the locker room on Thursday due to an ankle issue.
What Happened to Josh Hart?
Hart rolled his right ankle on a transition drive when he stepped on Cavaliers forward Dean Wade’s foot with 7:43 left in the fourth, immediately grabbing at the ankle as he went down in visible pain. He stayed in to shoot two free throws, knocked them both down, then limped straight to the locker room and never returned. It’s unclear if the injury is a standard sprain or anything more serious; the Knicks have only listed it as a right ankle issue pending further evaluation. Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) reported on X that Josh Hart appeared to injure his ankle in the fourth quarter and was seen limping to the locker room.
Before the injury, Hart gave New York 15 points in 26 minutes, attacking the glass and pushing tempo the way he usually does. He was part of the group that helped cut into a 17‑point deficit, so losing him that late changed the rotation rhythm on the fly.
Latest Injury Update and Knicks Report
Early indications from team and media reports describe the injury as an ankle sprain with Hart heading for additional testing, and he’s expected to be on the official report as Questionable at best for New York’s next game. That comes on top of him already managing nerve damage in his right shooting hand, an issue he’s been playing through all season with a splint after offseason surgery and a re‑aggravation before training camp.
The Knicks have dealt with a stacked injury sheet: Mitchell Robinson is still out for left ankle injury management, Karl-Anthony Towns has been listed as Questionable with a right quadriceps strain, and Deuce McBride has been picking up extra backcourt minutes when Hart’s been limited. Coach Mike Brown has previously called Hart day-to-day through a separate lower back soreness issue from the preseason Abu Dhabi fall, so the staff knows his tolerance and workload history well.
On Cleveland’s side, the Cavaliers entered Christmas without several rotation pieces as well, including various short-term knocks in their backcourt, which pushed Dean Wade and others into larger roles. That context matters because Hart’s defensive versatility on wings and guards is exactly what New York leans on in these shorthanded matchups.
Josh Hart Recent Stats and Impact
Hart’s season has already been a grind physically, but his production has still popped in spots. He’s coming off a season where he averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists with a franchise-record nine triple-doubles, and that all‑around profile has carried into the early part of this campaign.
Recent logs include a 12‑point, 10‑rebound, 5‑assist line in 26 minutes in a 119–102 win over Washington, plus a 6‑point, 5‑rebound, 5‑assist outing in 29 minutes in Miami. There have been quieter nights toothree points in 26 minutes in a loss to Milwaukee, or 0 points in 15 minutes against Chicago, which tracks with a player clearly fighting through multiple injuries.
Disclaimer:
This article provides information based on publicly available reports and official team updates as of publication time. Player statuses, injury evaluations, and return timelines may change as new details emerge. Readers should refer to official NBA or team announcements for the most accurate and updated information.
