Nerve trouble in shooting hand still hounds Knicks’ Josh Hart despite season-best outing
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NEW YORK — Josh Hart delivered his strongest performance of the young season Sunday night, but the New York Knicks swingman said he still lacks full sensation in his right shooting hand because of an ongoing nerve issue.
Hart finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the Knicks’ 128-113 win over the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. Afterward, he explained that tingling and numbness remain in parts of the hand, noting that the nerve “hasn’t fully gotten back to what it was before” and that recovery “is a process.”
The 30-year-old missed New York’s season opener with a back problem and entered Sunday averaging only 2.8 points on 4-for-19 shooting, including 1-for-10 from three-point range, across his first four appearances. Hart said his focus against Chicago was simply to play with energy while coping with both physical and mental adversity.
“I saw Josh Hart,” guard Jalen Brunson said of his teammate’s bounce-back effort after scoring a game-high 31 points. “The one we know and love.”
The nerve irritation stems from an injury to Hart’s right index finger sustained during last postseason and aggravated shortly before training camp. He has ruled out surgery and is attempting to play through the discomfort while adapting to a new role off the bench under first-year head coach Mike Brown.
Brown, who replaced Tom Thibodeau in the offseason, said he was unaware of the nerve complication but praised Hart for competing despite limited preparation time. “He had 14 and 9 tonight, so if he’s healthy, oh my gosh — look out,” the coach said, adding that Hart is “playing catch-up” after missing several weeks.
The victory moved New York to 3-3 on the season. The Knicks host their next game Wednesday as Hart continues to monitor the hand’s progress.
Source: ESPN
