Knicks Injuries: Will Josh Hart Play Game 2 vs. Cavaliers? (UPDATED)

The New York Knicks appear to be preparing to roll without Josh Hart, a major reason behind a 1-0 series lead, as they face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of their best-of-seven NBA playoff set.

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It appears that the New York Knicks didn't escape the Game 1 carnage that befell several notable names across the NBA Playoffs.

Depth star Josh Hart (sprained left ankle), who posted a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double in his NBA playoff debut on Saturday night, has officially been labeled doubtful by the Knicks as they prepare for Game 2 of a best-of-seven opening round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG/TNT). Despite the diagnosis, there appears to be a glimmer of hope for Hart to partake in the fateful contest: Zach Braziller of the New York Post said that the newest Knick was "walking without a limp" as the team broke practice in Cleveland.

[[UPDATE: 12:30 p.m. ET]]: The Knicks have upgraded Hart to questionable for Tuesday's game. 

[[UPDATE: 7:05 p.m. ET]]: The Knicks have announced that Hart is available for Tuesday's game. 

Josh Hart sprained his ankle then went back out and hit the biggest shot of the game. It looked like he was smiling on the way back down the court but he’s actually grimacing in pain.

All heart https://t.co/MocWHSCAhQ pic.twitter.com/wfdG4nwYTw

— Talkin’ Knicks (@TalkinKnicks) April 17, 2023

In another report from The Post, head coach Tom Thibodeau hinted that Hart could be a game-time decision, similar to Julius Randle on Saturday.

"We’ll see how he feels (Tuesday),” Thibodeau said, per Peter Botte. “Usually with sprains like that, it’s more how you feel the next day. He said he felt fine in the game, so we’ll see where he is.”

Little more needs to be said about Hart's impact since coming over a trade deadline deal with Portland. Including Saturday's 101-97 triumph, the Knicks have gone 18-8 since he entered the rotation and he's a major reason why New York owns its first postseason series lead since the end of their 2013 first-round closer over Boston. 

Having partaken in 372 regular season games before Game 1 (one of the longest active streaks in basketball), Hart took full advantage of his new surroundings but didn't come out unscathed: during the latter stages of the fourth quarter, Hart landed awkwardly while trying to pull a rebound from Jarrett Allen. While Hart needed some assistance to get back to the bench and was visibly wincing due to apparent ankle pain, he gave the Knicks a permanent lead on the next offensive possession with less than two minutes remaining before grabbing a clutch rebound on the other end that set up Jalen Brunson free throws that made it a two-score game.

Hart's weekend efforts were part of a strong showing for the Knicks' bench: combined with Isaiah Hartenstein, Immanuel Quickley, and Obi Toppin, Hart partook in a 37-14 advantage in bench scoring. 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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