Knicks Josh Hart Playing Hurt With Nerve Injury Affecting Season

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart is playing through a significant nerve injury in his right hand, which affects sensation primarily in his ring finger but also impacts his middle and pinky fingers. Despite undergoing a procedure last offseason, the injury is not fully healed, and Hart has opted against further surgery during the season to avoid missing two to three months. This injury, combined with back spasms that caused him to miss preseason and the season opener, has contributed to a challenging start offensively, with Hart shooting just 21.1% from the field in early games. His role has shifted to coming off the bench under new head coach Mike Brown, and there is concern that prolonged absence or diminished performance could risk his playing time. Hart remains committed to rehabilitation and working on his shooting with the team's shooting coach, hoping to regain full feeling and effectiveness. The Knicks need Hart to improve to maintain his status as a key contributor alongside stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.