Knicks' Josh Hart out with knee injury as Mitchell Robinson practices fully for the first time

Just when it appeared that the Knicks were close to being back to full strength, Josh Hart suddenly was listed as out for Thursday’s game against the Bulls with a knee injury.

Hart, one of the Knicks’ most durable players, has played in all but one game this season. In the weeks before the All-Star break, however, he began showing up on the team’s injury report with a sore knee.

At practice on Wednesday, no mention was made of Hart’s knee, the fact he didn’t practice with the team or that he would be listed on the injury report that the Knicks filed with the league at 5 p.m.

Instead, the mood was upbeat as the team discussed the fact that Mitchell Robinson had practiced fully with the Knicks for the first time this season. Robinson, who was later listed as out for the Bulls game, had not gone through a full practice or played since injuring his ankle in the first round of the playoffs last season.

Also practicing fully with the Knicks Wednesday were OG Anunoby and Deuce McBride.

Anunoby, who missed the final five games before the All-Star break with a right foot sprain, is listed as questionable for Thursday. McBride, who left the court eight minutes into the Knicks’ game against the Hawks last week with a left rib contusion, is expected to play as he was not listed on the injury report.

Wednesday’s practice was the Knicks’ first since the All-Star break and included a five-on-five scrimmage. Coach Tom Thibodeau was pretty happy with what he saw from Robinson, considering that the Knicks center hadn’t practiced fully in close to 10 months.

“He looks good,” Thibodeau said. “He’s got to get his timing, but overall he moved pretty well.”

The Knick have been plagued by injuries since early last season. The team has not had every player healthy enough to practice or play since Dec. 8, 2023. It was in that game, a 133-123 loss to the Celtics, that Robinson first fractured his ankle.

That fracture caused him to miss 50 games before he returned with 11 games left in last season.

The specifics of Hart’s knee injury aren’t known, but his situation is concerning considering he had a full week to rest it over the All-Star break. The only game he missed this season was because of personal reasons. Hart’s 37.8 minutes per game rank third in the NBA behind only Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey and Knicks teammate Mikal Bridges. In the Knicks’ most recent game, a 149-148 overtime win against Atlanta on Feb. 12, Hart played 46 minutes.

Though listed as out, it seems only a matter of days before Robinson is back on the court. All-Star guard Jalen Brunson is clearly looking forward to Robinson’s return.

“He can impact this team a lot of ways on and off the court,” Brunson said. “He’s a great teammate, good person. On the court, obviously everyone knows what he’s able to do. But I’m just happy he’s getting back to full strength and being healthy. I think that’s what I really care the most about, just seeing him doing what he loves and being back.”

Much has changed since Robinson was last able to practice with the Knicks. Isaiah Hartenstein is no longer with the team, but All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns is and having one of the best seasons of his career.

Robinson likely will be on a minutes restriction when he returns and may be used primarily in relief of Towns. As the season progresses, however, the Knicks will have the option of playing the two big men together at times. “I remember being in Minnesota with three bigs,” Towns said. “It’s great to have him back and to have the fire power we have. It gives us versatility.”

By Barbara Barker

barbara.barker@newsday.commeanbarb

Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.