Throughout a lengthy NBA season, teams need different players to step up. When injuries occur, players are called upon to serve bigger roles in the rotation, attempting to compensate for the production of their teammates who are sidelined.
For the New York Knicks, one of the players who have been tasked with that is Josh Hart. Hart, a favorite of head coach Tom Thibodeau, is the kind of glue guy every successful team in the NBA has on their roster.
On any given night, his role can change. That has been the case for the last six weeks, as Hart’s role has grown massively because of injuries the Knicks are dealing with. Their entire starting frontcourt of OG Anunoby, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson are sidelined. Isaiah Hartensten and Jalen Brunson have also missed time here and there with injuries.
That has led to Hart playing huge minutes for Thibodeau. He rarely comes off the court as he is wearing several hats for the Knicks currently. At times he is their lead ball handler, initiating the offense. Other times he is their No. 1 defender, marking the top scoring option on the opposing team.
Whatever the Knicks have needed from Hart, he has given it to them. That has led to him getting close to making some franchise history. According to Tommy Beer on X, Hart has played 40+ minutes in seven straight games. That is the most for a Knicks player since Chris Duhon played 40+ minutes in nine straight games in November of 2008.
Smart money would be on Hart breaking that record and going on a streak rarely seen in the NBA today. A blowout at the hands of the Orlando Magic on February 14th is the only reason his streak isn’t already at Duhon’s mark.
Until the Knicks start getting reinforcements back in the frontcourt, Hart is going to continue playing heavy minutes. He is too important to the Knicks remaining competitive with so many key rotation players out and is a player that Thibodeau has full trust in.
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