Hart Explodes for 33 as Knicks Weigh Lineup Options
hart-explodes-for-33-as-knicks-weigh-lineup-options
With Jalen Brunson sidelined by right ankle injury management and a neck strain on Tuesday, forward Josh Hart delivered a season-high 33 points on 12-of-13 shooting, including a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc, to lead the New York Knicks past the Indiana Pacers.
Head coach Mike Brown said Hart’s versatility and ability to “connect the group” justify keeping him in the starting five despite recent shooting struggles. In addition to the scoring outburst—the most he has logged since arriving in New York—Hart added seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.
“He’s really good in a lot of different areas,” Brown noted postgame. “Having a guy like that, especially to start games, is huge.”
Brown Leaves Door Open for Starting-Lineup Change
Although Brown praised Hart, he told reporters he still has not ruled out altering the first unit, according to The Athletic. If a switch occurs, league sources believe Mikal Bridges could shift to the bench, despite the club having surrendered five first-round picks to acquire him.
McBride Nears Return
The Knicks announced that guard Miles “Deuce” McBride is progressing well after sports hernia surgery and has begun absorbing contact in practice. Brown declined to place a timetable on McBride’s return, saying only, “When he comes back we’ll all be excited.”
Rotation Watch: Diawara vs. Clarkson
Rookie forward Mohamed Diawara logged just six minutes against Indiana, his smallest workload in nearly a month, as veteran Jordan Clarkson reclaimed a rotation spot. Brown praised Clarkson for staying prepared through multiple healthy scratches and urged Diawara to follow that example.
“Go out there when your number’s called,” Brown said. “Don’t do too much—just perform at the highest level in terms of work ethic, focus and attention to detail.”
The New York Post reports that Brown and his staff are evaluating which reserves will have consistent roles when the postseason begins, with others likely to appear only in specific matchups.
Source: HoopsRumors
