Josh Hart asked out of Game 6 in Knicks injury concern: ‘Add it to the list’

NBA

By Peter Botte

INDIANAPOLIS — It is always surprising — even jarring — to see Josh Hart come out of a game, especially during the playoffs. 

Asking out is something else entirely. 

The Knicks’ iron man suffered an injury to his abdominal area Friday night in the first quarter of a series-tying 116-103 loss in Game 6 against the Pacers. 

Hart, who already has played four complete games in the Knicks’ first 12 of the postseason, even appeared to motion to the bench to be removed nearly midway through the third quarter.

He was seen wearing a heating pad while being attended to by team trainers, though he briefly reentered the game with 3:19 left in the period. 

During the fourth quarter, the Knicks ruled out Hart for the remainder of the night with what the team called “abdomen soreness.” 

“Obviously, something must have been really wrong, but I saw him come back in the game and continue the fight,” Jalen Brunson said. “I wasn’t really necessarily worried or anything. I guess you can just add it to the list.” 

Indeed, the Knicks already were without four forwards due to injuries: Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Bojan Bogdanovic and OG Anunoby. 

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Donte DiVincenzo also noted “that’s been our season,” but stressed the Knicks “have more than enough” for Game 7 Sunday at the Garden. 

“Just knowing Josh, he’ll do whatever to play,” Isaiah Hartenstein added. “If his leg’s not falling off … he’ll probably say that he’ll probably play.” 

Hart initially had been removed and replaced by Precious Achiuwa barely five minutes into the game.

He was seen talking with trainers near the visiting bench and then checked back into the game with 4:57 remaining in the period. 

The workhorse wing played the rest of the quarter, including registering a blocked shot at the rim against Pascal Siakam. 

Hart did not come out of the locker room until after play had resumed in the second quarter, but he checked back into the game 2:12 into the session.