The Knicks are back in the gym with most of the early training camp energy pointing up. The core is intact, the title glow is still fresh, and the group looks ready to roll again.
But one lingering issue keeps following Josh Hart around: the damaged right ring finger that has been part of his story for more than a year.
Hart addressed it plainly Thursday, and the answer was not exactly comforting for New York fans. Knicks reporter Kristian Winfield relayed Hart’s comments from the media session on X.
"The only option for my finger at this point because of how damaged it is is a full joint replacement, and with a joint replacement you can't have the banging or the palming rebounds. So if I got the replacement, I wouldn't be able to play," Hart said.
"The only alternative is joint replacement, let it go, or amputation," he added.
For now, Hart is choosing to live with it. He said he plans to keep the finger taped for the rest of his career and deal with any real fix after he retires.
The injury first came during the 2025 playoffs, when Hart hurt the finger and had a procedure on it that July. He then aggravated it again before camp and played all of last season with it wrapped.
Even with that limitation, he was still himself. Hart shot a career-best 41.3% from three and did a little bit of everything as the Knicks captured their first title since 1973.
Earlier this week, Hart also posted on X that the finger will stay wrapped until he retires, mainly so he can stop being asked about it.
Hart is 31, extension talks are still ongoing, and his toughness remains a defining piece of what this team is. The Knicks are going to need that finger to hold up for one more run.
In Other News...
Knicks Hire Could Matter If Frontcourt Plans Are Still Alive
The Knicks have filled a small but potentially useful spot on the bench by hiring Ed Flynn as their new video replay challenger, a move that comes after Jordan Brink departed for Chicago. Flynn arrives with recent Pelicans experience, having worked in New Orleans video department, which gives New York a fresh set of eyes and some built-in familiarity with a roster the Knicks have already monitored closely.
That background could matter if the Knicks keep pursuing frontcourt help from New Orleans, where interest has already been noted in centers Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic. No deal has come together, and the Pelicans have not been willing to move either player yet, but Flynns hire at least adds another wrinkle to a conversation that may not be finished. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Center Battle Just Got More Crowded Than Fans Expected
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Bradley enters a crowded mix, and the next stretch of preseason play will matter as the staff tries to figure out which big man can best handle the reserve duties. The Knicks do not need flash here nearly as much as stability, and how this rotation takes shape could say plenty about how they intend to protect their starters through the grind of the year. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Never Had The LeBron Opening Fans Were Hoping For
LeBron James is set to have a major role with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year contract, and for Knicks fans who spent time imagining a different ending, the latest reporting mostly confirms what had been drifting into view. There was speculation about a possible New York landing spot, but the idea never appeared to gain much traction, especially as James has sounded comfortable with the Sixers and the roster around him after their trade for Jaylen Brown.
The lingering question is why the Knicks never really became more than a talking point. A push from New York might have opened the door to a real conversation, but the sense around the league was that the path to a reunion with that kind of star power never fully reopened. For a team still chasing the biggest swing on the market, it leaves another reminder that not every dream scenario ever gets close to becoming one. [Read more 🡒]