Josh Hart is looking to improve after a somewhat disappointing first 41 games, but the Knicks began the second half of their 82-game schedule against the Wizards on Thursday night without him.
Hart missed his first game of the season Wednesday night, acknowledging an overall drop in performance in his first full season as a Knick due to the overall impact he had after arriving at the trade deadline nearly a year ago.
Hart, acquired from the Trail Blazers last February, was sidelined Thursday night against the Wizards with what he described as “soreness” in his left knee, which the Knicks listed as the cause of patellar tendonitis.
Hart, who says he's having a good day, enjoyed a strong game in Wednesday's win over the Rockets, coming off the bench to record 10 points and 14 rebounds in 30 minutes despite the injury.
But then he stressed that he is looking to improve his overall game for the second half of the season.
“At the end of the day, you have to play better regardless of things that are out of your control. At the end of the day, you have to play better,” Hart said. “That's been a problem for us this year and we haven't been able to put up a good game. We've got to find a way to bring that energy every night and every day.”
Hart, who signed a four-year contract extension worth $81 million in August, said in late November that he didn't feel “included” in the offense this year, but later said he was “not dissatisfied” with his play. A role for which he clearly stated, “No.”
His biggest statistical slip-up this season has come from beyond the 3-point arc.
He entered the season shooting 31.9 percent (34-of-112) from deep on Thursday after shooting an impressive 51.9 percent in 25 games with the Knicks after being traded last spring. He had hit 3-of-19 in his previous seven games.
Hart's average numbers also decreased from last season in rebounds (7.0 to 6.4 per game), assists (3.6 to 2.7), steals (1.4 to 0.8), and overall field goal percentage (.586 to .440). ing.
Still, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau cited Hart's current 6.7 net rating (second only to rookie OG Anunoby (23.6 through nine games) and Isaiah Hartenstein (9.0) as the reason he isn't concerned about Hart's play. (3rd best on the roster).
“I think you know how I feel about the most important rating being the net rating,” Thibodeau said of the metric that measures point differential when he's on the floor per 100 possessions. It tells you the impact you have on the team when you're on the floor. And he's at the top of the list even though he's not — I don't know if you can measure that in points or field goal percentage.
“What's going on when he's on the floor? It's still very strong. That's where I want him to focus. Just keep moving forward. Not shooting well. He can also play well enough. I'm not worried about his shooting. We know it's going to happen. Rebounding the ball, pushing the ball on the break, hustling, getting deflections, playing multiple positions. Help us in every way, including defending. These are the kinds of things that are hard to measure, but they add great value to the team. And that's really why he's here.”
As for his knee condition, Hart said before Thursday's game that it's something he's been managing so far.
He also reiterated that his offseason was short after his first career postseason action and stint with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup.
“I woke up with a little bit of pain. Of course, I'm going to rest today,” Hart said. “[Friday] I think I'll take a break from practice, so I'll get some treatment.Let's get ready for Saturday's game. [at MSG against the Raptors]”
Hart added that his knee has been “a little sore and a little more sore” over the past week, but he has played through similar issues this past season.
“I'm not surprised by that feeling. Usually late in the season, Game 50, 55-60, you kind of start to feel it,” Hart said. “Then we have a little All-Star break, so we can take a few days off and then pick it up again.
“So even though the summer is getting shorter, I'm not surprised that I'm starting to feel the pain in my butt a little earlier than usual. But it's nothing too serious.”
