Jalen Brunson missed the first game of the season against the Jazz at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night due to a right calf injury.
The Knicks' point guard depth took another hit when Miles McBride, who had been announced as Brunson's replacement in the lineup, suffered a hamstring strain and was listed as questionable.
In the end, Cameron Payne was named the starter.
Before tipoff, head coach Tom Thibodeau said Brunson's status would be a game-time decision.
The Knicks' starting lineup has been very durable so far this season, with Karl-Anthony Towns missing two games and Josh Hart appearing only once.
Brunson played in 33 games, averaging 25.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from 3-point range.
Payne made his first start of the season on Wednesday.
The presence of Payne, 30, in Brunson's place in the lineup gave the Knicks some experience, but Hart's role in the offense has increased with Brunson out.
The Knicks have had a habit of relying on Brunson for almost everything, but Hart has grown more confident in getting the ball up the court and starting the offense, taking some pressure off the point guard.
Hart said he's done that to some extent with previous stints in Portland and New Orleans, but he's taking it even more with the Knicks now that he's become one of the central cogs in the offense.
“I always did a little bit. [and] I've gotten used to it more and more over the last couple of years,” Hart said.
Asked before Brunson was ruled out if his absence would affect Hart's approach to the game, Hart replied, “It doesn't change my mind at all.” My approach is always to go out there and make the right play. It doesn't matter to me whether the men are there or not. ”
Hart is averaging a career-high 14.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 32 games.
Thibodeau previously praised Hart's ability to control the offense to take pressure off Brunson.
“He's been doing that since he's been here,” Thibodeau said of Hart. “So, it’s just a tool and sometimes, I think with Jalen, if a team is going to bring him full court, Josh can bring it up and start the action and we You could trigger it that way.
“And I think that's a different take. I think there's going to be more pressure on the guys guarding Jalen as well, guys who are good at preventing dribbles but not as good at preventing catches and live balls. So you try to use it that way.”
Hart's ability to initiate the attack even when Brunson is controlling the ball gives flexibility to the lineup.
“What we want to establish is playing with pace, getting up on the floor quickly and creating movement,” Thibodeau said. “And once we launch a movement, we want everyone to play to their strengths. …And I like the way Josh does it. [plays] Thanks to his rebounding and ability to push the ball. I think these are the most difficult fast breaks to stop. Therefore, we want to get as many easy baskets as possible. You want to get as many layups as possible. And I think he's helping start that off. ”
Hart has also shown the ability to finish at the rim, shooting a career-high 39.1 percent from 3-point range entering Wednesday's game after shooting just 30.1 percent from long range last season.
