Josh Hart’s iron-man exploits and statistical smorgasbord represented a combination that hadn’t happened for the Knicks in more than a half-century.
Hart played all 48 minutes and recorded a triple-double in Monday’s win over the Warriors, joining Hall of Famers Clyde Frazier (twice, 1970 and 1972) and Jerry Lucas (1972) as the only players in franchise history to accomplish that feat.
Hart also became the first Knick to log all 48 minutes in a regular-season game since Jared Jeffries in 2010, although Jalen Brunson and since-traded Quentin Grimes went the distance in Game 5 of the second round of the playoffs against the Heat last spring.
Hart has posted five triple-doubles in his past 21 games after recording none over his first 418 NBA appearances.
Amid the Knicks’ rash of injuries, Hart has logged 41.1 minutes per game since Jan. 30 while averaging 13.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists.
Still, he’s also shooting .398 from the field and just .304 from 3-point range over that stretch.
“I ain’t making any shots, so I gotta do something else,” Hart said. “But I think the benefit of me kind of being in a slump shooting-wise, teams play off and I’m able to kind of figure out what I wanna do with the ball.
“I’m able to get into the lane and get guys shots and play games like that. So even if I’m not making shots, I feel I’m still able to be effective.”
Isaiah Hartenstein posted his first double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) since sitting out a few games before the All-Star break in February due to recurring Achilles soreness.
Hartenstein averaged 26 minutes over the first three games of the road trip entering Thursday’s visit to Denver, as Tom Thibodeau continues to slowly expand his playing time.
“I think what Thibs and the medical staff are doing, they just don’t want to rush it and get me back too early to my minutes,” Hartenstein said. “I feel great.. I sat down with Thibs, and his biggest thing is he just wants me to be healthy.“He doesn’t want us to put me in a situation where I come back early and it kind of flares up. I feel really good right now. I’m also grateful that the medical staff and Thibs are looking out for me in that situation.”