Josh Hart Reveals Nerve Issue in Hand, Knicks HC Mike Brown Says 'That's News to Me'
After a bounce-back performance in Sunday night's 128-113 win over the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks veteran guard Josh Hart revealed the cause of his early struggles, and he surprised his own coach.
Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Hart said after dropping 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists in Sunday's win that he's been playing through a nerve issue in his right hand, and he's opted to rule out the possibility of undergoing surgery. Knicks head coach Mike Brown admitted to being unaware of Hart's ailment.
"That's news to me," Brown said of Hart's issues. "[VP of Sports Medicine] Casey [Smith] has handled as best he can, and Josh has, too. He had 14 and 9 tonight, so if he's healthy, 'Oh my gosh. Look out.' He's playing fine. Again, he's missed a lot of time, so he's playing catch-up, and he's doing a heck of a job playing catch-up for us."
Hart missed New York's season opener with a back injury, and he was noticeably ineffective in his return to the court, scoring a combined 11 points on 4-for-19 shooting in his first four games. After returning to his usual form on Sunday night, he explained that he doesn't have full feeling in his right (shooting) hand.
"Yeah, my nerve hasn't fully gotten back to what it was before," Hart said after the game. "So it's a little bit of tingling, a little bit of numbness in part of my hand. Hopefully, at some point, that nerve will get back to where it was. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but right now it's a process."
Hart's shooting touch was still an issue, as he connected on just one of his four three-pointers, and he's adjusting to the mental hurdle of his new full-time bench role after spending last season as a starter under former head coach Tom Thibodeau. Still, he felt pleased that he brought the energy he's been known for on both ends of the floor.
"For me, I'm going through some adversity myself, physically and mentally, so my biggest thing today was going out there and playing with energy," Hart said. "Just getting back to being myself."
Hart's teammates also saw the player they've grown accustomed to, and his continued improvements will surely boost the Knicks' chances of being one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference this year.
"I saw Josh Hart," teammate and close friend Jalen Brunson, who led the Knicks with 31 points, said after Sunday's game. "The one we know and love."
