Josh Hart has resumed on-court activity but was a non-participant in Sunday’s practice at the Knicks’ Tarrytown facility as he continues to manage lower back spasms.
Hart has missed the majority of New York’s preseason slate after exiting just seven minutes into the opener against the 76ers in Abu Dhabi. He also sat out the second game overseas due to an illness — now resolved — but remains day-to-day with back tightness ahead of Monday’s matchup against the Wizards.
The 2025–26 season marks another uphill climb for Hart, who entered camp with a recently aggravated surgically repaired right ring finger, which he’ll protect with a splint. Now, the versatile forward is working to get back to speed on both ends of the floor under new head coach Mike Brown.
“He’s practiced a few times, played in one game. So you have a feel of what you’re going to get from Josh,” Brown said Sunday. “But the tough part about it is because what we’re doing is new, and he hasn’t gone through it, he’s a little behind in that regard.
“But he’s got a great feel, has watched us enough, he should be able to jump in. He might be a few steps behind, but he should be able to catch up quickly with the guys.”
Hart is coming off a career season, averaging 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.
MITCH MAKES A MOVE AT THE LINE
Mitchell Robinson isn’t changing his free throw form — just his footwork.
The Knicks’ starting center has subtly shifted his stance at the line in an effort to correct a frustrating trend.
“I noticed every time I shot it, it would go left. So then I put my left foot in front of the guideline, and I kind of scooted over a little bit,” Robinson said. “Actually, it kind of works for me. One dribble then go right to it.”
Robinson, who has gone 2-for-6 from the stripe through three preseason games, is a career 52% free throw shooter. He’s looking to build on last season’s mark of 68.4% — a career high.
“[I want to be] better than last year,” he said. “Those are extra points.”
STARTER MINUTES TBD VS. WIZARDS
Brown is still weighing how much court time his starters will see in Monday’s fourth preseason game.
“I don’t know. I’m gonna make a decision tomorrow,” he said. “We still wanna take a look at some guys. The more minutes I can get guys, the better for us to make decisions, but I’m not 100 percent sure.”
Brown limited his top unit to fewer than 20 minutes in each of the first two games overseas, then extended most starters — minus Robinson — to at least 24 minutes in Thursday’s overtime win over the Timberwolves.
BROGDON, SHAMET, MATHEWS IN THE MIX
The Knicks’ final guaranteed roster spot remains up for grabs — and Brown isn’t ready to tip his hand.
“You want me to give you my answer right now?” he quipped. “You think I should tell them first?”
New York has at least two veterans in Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet competing for a minimum slot. Garrison Mathews is also making a strong case in camp. For the Knicks to add both Brogdon and Shamet while staying under the second apron, they’d need to make a trade to open space.
“I’ll tell you what: both [Brogdon and Shamet] have been a pleasant surprise. I’ll also say Garrison Mathews has been a pleasant surprise, too,” Brown said. “We have some really good veterans in camp, and they all have played exceptionally well, and it’s gonna be a tough decision for us. I know that much because they all have earned the right to be on our team, the way that they’re not only playing in games but especially in practices.
“They’re bringing it in practice, and most of them are veterans, so they’re not just bringing it as players. They’re bringing it in a leadership role, too.”
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