Knicks advising ‘caution’ regarding Josh Hart’s injury update

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Josh Hart missed Saturday’s preseason game due to a back injury. Interestingly, the Knicks initially labeled it as “convulsions,” which seemed to downplay the seriousness of the situation.

A team rep commented, “It’s preseason, and we might get things wrong on the paying side. We’ll assess him when we get back home.”

The Knicks are set to return to New York on Saturday afternoon and will take on the Timberwolves at their home arena next Friday.

During the preseason opener against the 76ers, Hart collapsed in the second quarter, visibly in pain, and had to exit while clutching his hips. It was a tough sight for fans, especially as he tossed the ball into the stands amidst frustration. He was unavailable for media comments after the morning shoot-around on Saturday.

On a brighter note, OG Anunoby made his return following a brief absence due to a hand sprain, managing an impressive 11 points in just 13 minutes.

However, with Anunoby’s comeback, Pacôme Dadiet struggled yet again, failing to score in seven minutes and racking up two fouls. His performance has drawn attention, particularly as the head coach, Mike Brown, indicated that the first-round pick from 2024 may not have a guaranteed spot in the rotation.

“As for the rotation now… I’m not focusing too much on what he did in his last game,” Brown noted. Coaches see potential, but they desire more aggressiveness.

“He could be a defensive powerhouse. He needs to elevate his urgency on that end and play to his strengths,” Brown added, pointing out that Dadiet sometimes doesn’t fully utilize his attributes when he relaxes.

On Saturday, Malcolm Brogdon had a chance to secure the last roster spot. He took the court for seven minutes, just two days after effectively being benched for the first two quarters of the earlier game. Brown seemed to favor using established players in the first half but planned to empty the bench after halftime.

Landry Shamet had a shot on Thursday, and Garrison Matthews will also get some time in the first half of the upcoming game against the Timberwolves.

“We’re trying to see how different players fit in various combinations,” Brown explained. “Some might even get limited minutes in the regular season based on how they perform now.”

In the Saturday game, Brogdon finished with five points, four rebounds, and two steals in 13 minutes of play. The competition for that final roster spot is heating up among Brogdon, Matthews, and Shamet, as the Knicks are only able to retain one. There’s also the possibility of trades before the season kicks off.