Josh Hart’s knee bears watching but should not set off alarms.
It could be much worse. The Knicks’ sparkplug will sit Thursday, when the Knicks host the Bulls, with what the team is saying is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, which might sound more serious than it generally is in practice.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is pain at the front or around the kneecap and is common, particularly with athletes whose sports involve running and jumping, according to a physical therapist reached by phone Thursday.
“I don’t think it’s going to derail anyone’s season,” Charles Homoky, who is with Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health, said of a syndrome that is often called “runner’s knee.”
Homoky has not examined Hart, whose injury first publicly popped up ahead of a Jan. 25 game against the Kings. Beginning with that game, Hart has been featured on the injury report with what was called “right knee soreness.” Hart had played through the soreness for nearly a month before it was given a public diagnosis and now has cost him a game.
Hart, who flies all over the floor and prides himself on outhustling opponents, entered Thursday having played the second-most minutes in the NBA, trailing only teammate Mikal Bridges. Before Thursday, Hart had missed just one game all season, for personal reasons.
Overuse is “the most common cause” of the condition, Homoky said, but other factors including muscle imbalances, weaknesses and mechanical or flexibility issues could factor in.
The cause of the condition will determine Hart’s treatment, which could range from physical therapy to ice to electrical stimulation to stretching.
Typically, Homoky said, athletes take “a short amount of time off and then ease back in.” Rarely are there complications that would lead to surgery or a more significant stretch of time on the sidelines.
Presuming a relatively speedy return to the court for Hart, his workload will be worth watching. Will head coach Tom Thibodeau, who scoffs at the “minutes police” and has a reputation for working his best players hard, tone down Hart’s minutes?
With six-plus weeks left in the regular season, the Knicks entered play in third in the East, 2 ½ games back of the Celtics and 5 ½ games ahead of the Pacers.
For much hope of charging up the standings, the Knicks probably would need plenty from a do-everything wing averaging 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
