The Knicks’ passing has declined since Josh Hart’s injury.

Knicks Struggle Without Josh Hart’s Leadership

Josh Hart has a significant impact on the team in many ways. Right now, though, what the Knicks seem to be missing is one of his less celebrated skills.

Without him, it’s obvious that there’s a lack of facilitators and playmakers on the court.

Mike Brown’s goal was to have Jalen Brunson play off the ball, reducing pressure on him while setting up the team’s offense. With Hart in the starting lineup, he often stepped in as a playmaker, driving the Knicks’ transitions effectively.

However, during a rough four-game stretch without Hart, the ball movement has stagnated. In Monday’s heavy loss to the Pistons, Brunson finished with no assists and six turnovers, struggling to create opportunities for others. It seems he had no one to alleviate the pressure.

“In our last game, we had our lowest passing total,” Brown reported after practice. “We made 229 passes, but usually, we average a bit over 290. That’s a significant drop. It indicates that players missed chances to move the ball earlier.”

Hart, sidelined by an ankle sprain during Wednesday’s game against the Clippers, has been averaging 5.1 assists per game, which is second on the team after Brunson.

While his resilience and willingness to do the dirty work are noteworthy, his playmaking ability is also crucial. He disrupts defenses and creates space for teammates, more than anyone besides Brunson, adding necessary pace to the Knicks’ offense.

In light of this, it’s challenging to consider alternatives to taking on Hart’s playmaking role without overburdening Brunson, which contradicts Brown’s vision.

While players like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have their positions focused on catch-and-shoot opportunities, and Karl-Anthony Towns may be a decent passer for a big man, he lacks the ability to break down defenses off the dribble. Miles McBride can do a little playmaking, but it’s not necessarily his strong suit.

Given Hart’s absence, should roles be adjusted? Brunson shared, “It might not be the best idea to have everyone switch roles. Sure, that could happen, but we need to step up. We must focus on what we can control and play to our strengths. That’s what Josh offers; he does whatever it takes to win. When it comes to role changes, everyone needs to elevate their game. It’s that straightforward.”