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Josh Hart could cause concern for many ahead of Game 7 between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. The veteran player has become a crucial part of the team's success, but his participation in the win-or-go-home game between may be in jeopardy.
NBA insider Shams Charania reports that the forward/guard has suffered an abdominal strain. Charania doesn't go as far as to say that Hart will miss tomorrow's gamem but he reports that Hart will try to be on the court at Madison Square Garden.
"New York Knicks F/G Josh Hart has suffered an abdominal strain, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Hart is attempting to try to play through the injury in deciding Game 7 on Sunday vs. Indiana."
Losing Josh Hart for Game 7 would a significant blow for the Knicks. Hart has shown a lot of heart, fitting right in with the New Yorkers' style of play and becoming one of the best players on the roster.
He's not the flashy scorer that Jalen Brunson is and doesn't have the shooting skills of Donte DiVincenzo, but Hart brings something that's hard to find in the NBA. He's the engine of this team and losing him would be a big blow.
Then again, it appears that we won't know if he'll play until tomorrow.
Stephen A. Smith insisted Josh Hart was key for the Knicks in Game 6
Before the Knicks lost Game 6 against the Pacers in a big way, Stephen A. Smith noted that Jalen Brunson couldn't be the key to beating Tyrese Haliburton and company at home. Instead, he urged Hart and Donte DiVincenzo to take over the game to help the squad.
"It's gonna have to be Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. ...Donte DiVincenzo's shot is gonna be key, his shot-making ability, he needs to hit those threes when he's open, for it, so his shot-making ability is one way to go ... His guts, his willingness to go get that damn basketball no matter who he's up against. Josh Hart got to bring out that game tonight," Smith said.
If he was considered important for Game 6, Hart will need to have an even bigger role in the final game of the series. The Knicks can't afford to lose him ahead of a crucial game, but they might also risk losing Hart for a potential Boston Celtics series.
