The New York Knicks have another reason to be concerned heading into their latest meeting with the Chicago Bulls, and it involves one of the players whose contributions often go unnoticed until he is missing from the lineup.
Josh Hart has been listed as questionable for Wednesday’s matchup against Chicago because of right ankle soreness. It is an unexpected development for New York, particularly after the energetic guard helped the Knicks secure an important victory over the Brooklyn Nets in their previous game.
For a team trying to build momentum early in the 2026-27 NBA season, Hart’s availability could become a significant talking point. His scoring numbers might not always grab headlines, but his rebounding, defensive intensity and willingness to do the difficult work make him an important part of the Knicks’ rotation.
Josh Hart’s Injury Update Raises Questions Before Bulls Game
According to the NBA’s official injury report released Tuesday, Hart is questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Bulls at Madison Square Garden.
The update comes after he played nearly 27 minutes during New York’s 103-90 victory over Brooklyn on Monday.
Hart finished that contest with eight points, six rebounds, seven assists and three steals. He also recorded the team’s best plus-minus, with the Knicks outscoring Brooklyn by 22 points during his time on the floor.
That is exactly why his potential absence matters.
Hart does not need to score 20 points to influence a basketball game. He can change possessions through defensive pressure, hustle plays, offensive rebounds and intelligent passing.
Losing that combination would force head coach Mike Brown to reconsider parts of his rotation against Chicago.
Importantly, being listed as questionable does not automatically mean Hart will miss the game. His availability remains uncertain, and the designation should not be mistaken for confirmation that he has suffered a serious injury.
Hart’s Previous Performance Against Chicago Tells an Interesting Story
The timing of this injury concern is particularly frustrating because Hart was heavily involved when these two teams last met.
The Knicks defeated the Bulls 133-127 in Chicago on October 28, producing an impressive comeback after falling 19 points behind in the second half.
Jalen Brunson was the headline performer, finishing with 38 points, while Jordan Clarkson provided an important contribution off the bench with 18 points.
Hart, meanwhile, had a relatively quiet offensive evening. He scored just two points on 1-of-6 shooting, including three missed attempts from beyond the three-point line.
However, he still contributed eight rebounds and three assists while playing nearly 36 minutes.
That performance perfectly illustrates why looking at Hart’s scoring numbers alone does not tell the whole story.
Even when his shooting disappears, he can contribute in several other areas. His willingness to defend, rebound and compete for loose balls gives the Knicks another dimension.
New York managed to win despite his offensive struggles, but replacing his overall contribution is a different challenge.
Josh Hart Opens Up About the Physical Demands of Winning
There is another interesting aspect to this situation.
Hart recently discussed the physical demands of competing deep into the postseason and how difficult it can be for players to recover before another demanding NBA campaign begins.
Following the Knicks’ victory over Brooklyn, he explained that the extended championship schedule had created additional challenges for the players.
“It’s kind of like a little conundrum because obviously you play late into mid-June,” Hart said.
He also explained how the activities that follow a successful season can affect the recovery process.
“So you’re doing all that, so that takes a little bit of a wear on you,” Hart said. “And then you get into it, so sometimes your body has to kind of catch up.”
Those comments were not specifically about his current ankle soreness, so it would be unfair to suggest that the championship celebrations directly caused his latest issue.
However, they provide useful context about what New York’s players are dealing with.
The Knicks have high expectations, and the demands of defending a championship can be physically and mentally exhausting.
Hart understands that maintaining good habits throughout the season will be just as important as producing impressive performances.
“We gotta get those championship habits back,” Hart added.
That is an important message, especially for a team hoping to remain competitive throughout another long campaign.
Mike Brown Could Need More From His Bench
If Hart cannot play, Mike Brown will have to find another way to replace his energy and versatility.
Fortunately, the Knicks have shown that they possess some useful options outside their regular starting lineup.
Landry Shamet was particularly impressive against Brooklyn, scoring 22 points and providing an offensive spark when New York needed it.
Jordan Clarkson, Tyler Kolek and Jose Alvarado also offer different qualities that could help Brown adjust his rotation.
Shamet is an especially interesting option because of his ability to stretch the floor and provide scoring.
NBC Sports reported that he could replace Hart in the starting lineup if the Knicks guard is unavailable. Shamet had also been productive against Brooklyn, making him a logical candidate for additional responsibility.
However, replacing Hart’s complete contribution is not as simple as finding somebody who can score more points.
He brings rebounding, physical defence, playmaking and relentless effort. Those qualities are difficult to reproduce through one replacement.
Brown will need several players to contribute if Hart is ruled out.
The encouraging thing for New York is that the victory over Brooklyn demonstrated the value of having multiple players capable of stepping up.
Knicks Need to Build Momentum Against Chicago
New York’s start to the 2026-27 season has not been completely convincing.
The Knicks suffered three consecutive defeats to open their campaign before beginning to find some consistency.
Their victory over Brooklyn was another opportunity to establish momentum, and they will want to carry that confidence into Wednesday’s rematch.
Chicago, meanwhile, will be eager to respond after losing the previous meeting between the teams.
The Bulls know they were close to producing a significant victory before allowing New York to complete its comeback.
That makes Wednesday’s contest particularly interesting.
The Knicks will want to demonstrate that they can control games more consistently, while Chicago will have another opportunity to test their defensive organisation.
If Hart is unavailable, players such as Brunson, Clarkson and Shamet could face additional responsibilities.
Karl-Anthony Towns will also be important because New York needs consistent production from its frontcourt.
The Knicks cannot afford to become overly dependent on Brunson simply because one important rotation player might be missing.
Josh Hart’s Availability Could Make a Difference
Ultimately, this is not necessarily a long-term concern for the Knicks, but it is an important situation to monitor.
Hart’s questionable designation means New York must prepare for the possibility of playing without him while hoping that his ankle soreness does not become a bigger problem.
There is no reason for the team to take unnecessary risks with an important player this early in the season.
The Knicks have championship ambitions, and their biggest objective should be making sure their key players are healthy when the games become even more important.
Hart’s value goes beyond the statistics, and his teammates understand how much his energy can influence a contest.
For now, Knicks supporters will be waiting for a clearer indication of whether he can take the court against Chicago.
Would the Knicks still beat the Bulls comfortably without Josh Hart, or would his absence create a bigger problem than many fans expect? Share your thoughts.