NEW YORK — Josh Hart has decided against replacing his damaged right ring-finger joint, explaining that the current finger remains under team control for at least two more seasons.
Doctors reportedly told Hart that a full joint replacement would end his NBA career, leaving him with three options: surgery, amputation or simply continuing to play basketball with a finger that now appears to have left conventional geometry behind.
Hart chose basketball.
“I guess it’s either wrap it till I retire or cut it off,” Hart said, which Knicks officials immediately classified as a normal veteran availability update.
The 31-year-old plans to keep protecting the finger with a splint or wrap while playing through whatever level of pain arrives that day.
New York considers this encouraging.
The finger reportedly disagrees.
Despite the injury deteriorating throughout last season, Hart somehow shot a career-best 41 percent from three, leading the Knicks analytics department to quietly investigate whether properly aligned fingers had been holding him back.
Head coach Mike Brown offered a more traditional medical assessment.
The finger, he explained, is “uggglyyy.”
Hart remains extension-eligible and is owed $43.3 million over the next two seasons, including a team option.
For now, no replacement will be necessary.
The Knicks already have one Josh Hart.
They’re apparently getting the original finger too.
