Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Josh Hart Injury Update: What Happened to Josh Hart? When Will He Return to Action?

Image Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks opened preseason with a convincing 99-84 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, but Josh Hart’s abrupt exit took center stage.

Early in the second quarter, Josh Hart went up for a rebound and came down awkwardly under defensive pressure. He crashed hard to the floor, tossed the ball into the stands in frustration, and was ejected.

The sequence quickly shifted attention from New York’s performance to concerns about the health of their starting forward.

Fans and reporters initially feared a back injury given the non-contact nature of the fall and Hart’s visible discomfort. However, later reports suggested the incident was not as alarming as it first appeared.

Josh Hart gets hurt, throws ball, thrown out pic.twitter.com/M0XCP3lAq5
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 2, 2025

Knicks clarify Hart’s exit after fall

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Thursday afternoon that Hart’s absence after the ejection was not injury-related. “The Knicks said that Josh Hart didn’t come back in the game because he was ejected,” Windhorst explained. “Not because he had the injury. So we’ll see how that might change over the next couple of days.

”Before leaving, Hart recorded two points, three rebounds, and one assist. Team sources indicated he likely would have returned if not for the ejection, easing immediate worries of a significant setback.

Hart’s role remains central to Knicks

Since arriving from Portland in a 2022–23 trade, Josh Hart has established himself as one of New York’s most reliable two-way players. His defense, hustle, and rebounding have cemented him as a vital piece of the rotation, often described as the Knicks’ glue-guy.

Last season, Josh Hart helped fuel New York’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Entering 2025–26, expectations remain high for the 30-year-old forward to continue providing stability as the Knicks chase their first championship in over five decades.

Though Thursday’s scare may not have been serious, Hart’s history of postseason injuries shows how important his health will be for the upcoming campaign. The New York Knicks will rely on his versatility and effort on both ends of the court, making his recovery from any setbacks critical.