Current New York Knicks wing and former Portland Trail Blazer Josh Hart is playing through a nerve injury in his right hand, The Athletic’s Fred Katz and James L. Edwards III reported on (subscription
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Hart has played this season with a splint on his right ring finger. He told The Athletic on Sunday that the injury is nerve-related and spreads to other fingers.
The affliction affects the fourth finger on his shooting hand the most, but feeling is also going in and out of his middle and pinky fingers, not just on the court but also in daily life tasks.
The Athletic notes that Hart initially suffered the injury in May and underwent surgery for the issue after the Knicks’ postseason ended. However, he re-injured the hand during a scrimmage just before the start of training camp. He told The Athletic he has decided to delay another surgery until after the 2025-26 season.
Hart said the operation would keep him out for three months. So, instead of getting the surgery done immediately, the 30-year-old has opted to play through the injury. Doctors told him he could delay the procedure until after the season without incurring much long-term risk.
Prior to New York’s matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, Hart has appeared in four games this season off the bench. While dealing with the hand issue, Hart has struggled in the early season, averaging 2.8 points, 6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 22.3 minutes per game. Hart has shot 21.1% from the field on 4.8 attempts per game and 10% from beyond the 3-point arc on 2.8 attempts per game.
