McCullough Steps Up for Knicks in Hart’s Absence

Josh Hart’s absence due to an ankle injury has paved the way for Kevin McCullough Jr. to showcase his talents on the court. This has been a significant opportunity for him, and he hasn’t let it slip by.

McCullough has contributed notably during the Knicks’ recent road games: 23 minutes in a victory against the Hawks, followed by nine minutes in the win over the Pelicans, and eight minutes in their defeat to the Spurs.

“He’s a tough player,” said Coach Mike Brown. “He consistently does those little things that might not appear in the box score. His rotations are solid, and he plays with physicality without fouling. He knows how to rebound and gets in there to battle for position. He’s also got a great understanding of how to defend against different players and can read the game well, whether someone is a shooter or a driver.”

His standout performance came against the Hawks, a game the Knicks faced again recently. In that matchup, McCullough recorded 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Coach Brown has highlighted McCullough as one of the Knicks’ top on-ball defenders, and McCullough himself acknowledges Hart’s influence on his development.

“Yeah, he’s like the big brother of the team,” McCullough mentioned, crediting Hart’s contagious energy and the lessons he learned over the previous year. Hart had previously encouraged him to remain ready even when playing time was limited, notably following a tough loss to the Timberwolves.

At that point in the season, McCullough had only played for 5 hours and 47 minutes combined. “We had a productive talk after the Minnesota game,” Brown recalled. “One thing Josh said was that even if you’re not starting, you should motivate us and hold us accountable when you get the chance.” Seems like McCullough took that to heart.

It hasn’t been an easy journey for him. Drafted as the 56th pick last year, he faced knee injuries that sidelined him during his rookie season and impacted his college career at Kansas, limiting his appearances to a few late-season games. Despite a strong senior year, averaging 18.3 points and earning All-Big 12 honors, his injuries and age led him to fall in the draft.

Finally, he’s getting his chance. Even if Hart returns to the lineup, it might be challenging for him to reclaim his former role. For McCullough, though, this moment is about embracing the opportunity.