Josh Hart took responsibility for the Knicks‘ tough loss to Chicago on Wednesday night, notes Ian Begley of SNY.tv (via Twitter).
“It should have been a big statement win for us,” Hart said (YouTube link). “It was the first win where we really got hit and really started to swing back…. I gotta be better. This one is on my shoulders.”
Hart fouled Bulls guard Coby White on a three-point attempt with 3.2 seconds remaining and the Knicks up two (YouTube link). White went on to convert all three free throws, and then Jalen Brunson‘s potential game-winning turnaround jumper over Patrick Williams spun in and out.
Hart, 29, is in the first season of a four-year, $80.9MM extension that features a team option for 2027/28. He recorded six points, eight rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes on Wednesday.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- The Knicks trailed by as many 22 points in the second half on Wednesday before retaking the lead. Big man Karl-Anthony Towns had an excellent offensive game, finishing with a season-high 46 points, going 18-of-30 from the floor and 6-of-12 from long distance. But he was unhappy about finishing just 4-of-8 on free throws, including two consecutive misfires midway through the fourth quarter and New York trailing by one, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post. “If I make a few of those free throws, at least two or three of them, you put your team in a different position,” said Towns, who got in some extra practice at the charity stripe after the loss.
- Head coach Tom Thibodeau provided a minor injury update on forward/center Precious Achiuwa prior to Wednesday’s game, Botte adds. Achiuwa, who has yet to make his season debut after suffering a left hamstring strain in preseason, still hasn’t been cleared to practice.
- While Wednesday’s loss was obviously disappointing, it was still a positive that Brunson was able to suit up after sustaining a minor ankle injury in Tuesday’s win in Philadelphia, Botte notes in another story for The Post. Brunson, Miles McBride (knee) and Cameron Payne (hamstring) were all questionable heading into Wednesday’s contest, but all three wound up playing.
- Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Sports+ link) shares his takeaways for the early portion of the Knicks’ season, with the club currently holding a 5-6 record.
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