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The New York Knicks are off to a decent 2-1 start this season, but they’re coming off a 115-107 loss on Sunday to the inferior Miami Heat. While Jalen Brunson has played very well, a number of other players need to improve their level of play, especially offensively. They currently rank fourth in defensive rating but are only 23rd in offensive rating, 27th in points per game and last in field-goal percentage. Seven players on their roster are shooting 40% or under from the field, including reserve guard Josh Hart, who is at a wretched 23.1% and has missed all five of his 3-point attempts. Hart has been playing with a splint on his surgically repaired right ring finger. But he feels that his healing finger isn’t the cause of his shooting woes. Instead, he feels he isn’t fully in game shape after missing much of the preseason and New York’s regular-season opener with a lower-back ailment. “I think most of my shots have been short,” Hart said after Sunday’s loss, per the New York Daily News. “I’m just getting my legs under me, getting a rhythm.” Read more: Mavericks’ Anthony Davis Opens Up After Disappointing Start Hart is normally a big-time spark plug for New York in multiple facets of the game. But his game hasn’t resurfaced yet to start the new basketball year. “I think it’s more legs than the finger. The finger is what it is,” he said. “But when I get my legs under me, a lot of those shorter shots won’t be short.” Miles McBride, a key ball-handling guard off the bench for the Knicks, missed the game against Miami for personal reasons, which forced Hart to up his workload. He did have five assists, but he converted just two of his five field-goal attempts as the Knicks went 38.8% from the field. NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 24: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks drives against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) Hart has elevated his production ever since coming to the Knicks midway through the 2022-23 season. Last season, he averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.5 steals a game while setting new career highs in the latter three categories. He has had a number of big games in the playoffs, and he seems to embody the gritty attitude that coach Mike Brown wants every member of the Knicks to adopt. Read more: Carmelo Anthony Doesn’t Hold Back in Prediction for Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama New York will visit Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Antetokounmpo has started the season with a bang, and Hart’s crew will have an opportunity to make a minor statement against a Bucks squad that is also 2-1. For more on the Knicks and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
