CLEVELAND – Josh Hart is dealing with a left ankle sprain that he suffered just before hitting the biggest shot of Game 1.
The reserve guard, a big reason New York holds a 1-0 lead over the Cavs, was a spectator for most of Monday’s practice and coach Tom Thibodeau wasn’t making predictions about Hart’s status for Game 2 on Tuesday night.
“He did some (running). It was pretty light,” Thibodeau said. “Just got mainly treatment. Did a little bit of what we were doing. But more mental today, just get treatment again tomorrow, see where he is.”
Logic and the playoff circumstances indicate Hart will play, but he was noticeably limping after Saturday’s victory. Hart turned the ankle by landing awkwardly after a rebound attempt with 2:12 remaining, when the Cavs took their first lead since the opening quarter.
On the following possession, Hart buried a stepback 3-pointer over Cedi Osman that gave the Knicks the advantage for good in their 101-97 win.
“Usually with sprains like that it’s more about how you feel the next day,” Thibodeau said. “(Hart) said he felt fine in the game, and we’ll see where he is (Tuesday).”
Beyond that big moment, Hart helped secure the upset by grabbing 10 rebounds – including five offensive – while scoring 17 points.
If he’s limited by the ankle sprain, there will be more responsibility on Quentin Grimes to fortify the defense. Grimes and Hart alternate on guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player, which is Donovan Mitchell in this series.
“I feel like I’ve been guarding the best player from the other team the whole season. So I feel like it’s just another night, for sure,” Grimes said. “Just the stakes are a little bit higher. I’m just going to come in a little more sharper probably just knowing that if (Hart) doesn’t play, I just have to be more alert at all times, whether I got Darius (Garland) or Donovan (Mitchell).”
But Grimes was also confident Hart would suit up.
“I know he’s a fighter, I know he’s going to give it a go, for sure,” Grimes said. “So I’m not really worried about that.”
Hart appeared to injure his ankle on April 2 against the Wizards, but he stayed in the game after getting “retaped” in the locker room, the Knicks announced at the time. Hart was wearing tape on his left ankle during Game 1.
“I know he’s a competitor, but we’ll just have to wait and see,” Jalen Brunson said.