The New York Knicks have dealt with a multitude of injuries. This has caused head coach Tom Thibodeau to play some of his healthy players more minutes than they are accustomed to. One of those players is Josh Hart.
The 29-year-old played all 48 minutes in Monday’s 119-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors. He became the first player this season to not step off the court during game action.
While he didn’t shoot particularly well, Hart still made quite the impact in the win. He recorded his fifth triple-double of the season with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Prior to this season, he had zero career triple-doubles. The seven-year veteran now has five in his last 21 games.
In the win, guard Miles McBride sat out for just one minute of game action and scored a career-high 29 points.
Knicks’ Iron Man Plays All 48 Minutes in Win
Josh Hart has Been Playing Huge Minutes for Some Time
While last night was the first time Hart received no rest during play, he has been playing huge minutes of late. Since the All-Star break, Hart has averaged 42.8 minutes in his 13 outings. In 11 of those 13 games, he played more than 40 minutes.
While Hart hasn’t averaged that over the course of the season, nobody has. The current leader in minutes per game is the Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan at 37.7.
More game action has been required of Hart and other Knicks players due to injuries others normally in the rotation have sustained.
Three Key Frontcourt Players Have Been Out For Some Time
OG Anunoby returned after being out of action with an elbow ailment on March 12. He played three games, before sitting out Monday night due to a flare-up. He is expected to miss Wednesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets and perhaps even longer. Anunoby had missed 18 straight outings before returning a week ago.
Named an All-Star this season, Julius Randle hasn’t played for New York since January 29. The 29-year-old has now missed 22 straight games with a dislocated shoulder. It is unclear when, or if, he will return to the court.
Center Mitchell Robinson hasn’t played for the Knicks since December 8. He has now missed 47 straight games after undergoing ankle surgery. Much like Randle, there really isn’t a timetable for his return.
Hart and Knicks Battling For Playoff Positioning
Tom Thibodeau has been forced to play his favorites a ton of minutes as the team fights for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
A top-four seed is required to have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. New York currently sits in fourth, but the Orlando Magic are just a game behind in fifth. The Knicks are also two games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers who are in third.
So expect big minutes from Hart and others to continue especially as some of their key players remain out. There are 14 games remaining in the regular season for the team to hopefully become closer to full strength for the postseason.
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