Knicks Rumors: Josh Hart Has Abdominal Injury, Will Attempt to Play Game 7 vs. Pacers

New York Knicks guard Josh Hart has suffered an abdominal strain but will attempt to play through the injury during Sunday’s Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported.

Hart appeared to suffer the injury in the first quarter of the Knicks’ Game 6 loss to the Pacers. He returned to the game but asked to be subbed out in the fourth quarter.

Game 7 tips off Sunday in New York at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Hart played through the injury for two full quarters on Friday. He appeared to be in pain but finished the game with 31 minutes played while being held to five points on 2-for-8 shooting.

The questions surrounding Hart’s Game 7 availability marks the continuation of injury issues that have plagued the Knicks throughout the postseason.

Julius Randle has been sidelined since January with a shoulder injury that necessitated surgery in April. Bojan Bogdanovic underwent foot surgery in April, while Mitchell Robinson’s ankle was operated on last week.

Adding to the roster gaps left by those season-ending procedures, OG Anunoby has also been sidelined since suffering a left hamstring strain during Game 2 against the Pacers.

The Knicks’ Saturday afternoon injury report lists both Hart and Anunoby as “questionable” for Game 7.

Knicks star Jalen Brunson told reporters after the team’s Game 6 loss that he expects Hart to play because “it’s Game 7.”

Hart has so far powered the shorthanded Knicks through the playoffs by leading the team with 42 minutes per night through 12 games.

Anunoby meanwhile serves as a key piece of the Knicks’ defense when healthy. The three-and-D wing would be key to limiting Pacers forward Pascal Siakam if available to play in Sunday’s winner-takes-all matchup.

If Hart and Anunoby lead New York to Game 7 victory, the Knicks would head to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. The Boston Celtics, who on Wednesday defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, await the series winner.