Make New York Post a Preferred Source INDIANAPOLIS — Josh Hart’s issues aren’t exclusive to his shot. The Knicks veteran said he’s mentally struggling to start a disappointing season, and he doesn’t know how to break out of it.
“Wish I could tell you,” Hart said. “Don’t know. Right now I’m not in a good head space and I got to figure out how to improve that. And improve my play.”
Asked what that meant, Hart, who is shooting just 36 percent on the season, said, “Just mentally. Got to be better mentally. Got to figure stuff out.”
Josh Hart of the New York Knicks shoots a 3-pointer against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images Hart finished scoreless Friday night and was benched for the entire fourth quarter of a 106-104 loss to the Pacers, among the low points of a season that has never been on track for the 31-year-old.
He’s up for an extension, but the Knicks put out a statement in October declaring they’re shutting down all negotiations, including Hart’s and Karl-Anthony Towns’.
Hart revealed Friday that he suffered a calf injury before training camp, which set back his conditioning. He then hurt his ankle and missed three games.
The Knicks are stacked with wings and guards, creating congestion and sporadic playing time. Mikal Bridges has also been benched, as coach Mike Brown leaned on Landry Shamet and Miles McBride.
Brown acknowledged that finding time for Bridges and Hart could be difficult.
Josh Hart, left, speaks with New York Knicks teammate Mikal Bridges during a game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images “There are several different ways you can look at it,” Hart said. “You can look at it, if they have it going, cool. Good. You could look at it like, ‘OK, maybe something else has to change.’”
Hart didn’t specify the “change,” but logic indicates he meant a trade. Three years ago, Leon Rose faced a similar conundrum. Too many guards, not enough minutes.
What’s happening on and off the Garden court Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+.
So Rose traded two — RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley — for a bigger forward in OG Anunoby.
Beginning Sunday, the Knicks face Barrett and Quickley twice in three days in Toronto, while Hart tries to find a better headspace.
