PORTLAND, Ore. — If the Knicks had been winning instead of floundering, Josh Hart would’ve rested a few more days.
After all, he heard his right ankle pop on Christmas. It was a bad sprain. But as he sat eight straight games, the Knicks endured their worst stretch of the season — losses in five of six — abandoning their flow, their defense, their pace.
So Hart came back Sunday. Both he and the Knicks felt good about that decision after he keyed a 123-114 victory over the Blazers, injecting his energy into a roster that badly needed his cohesive powers.
“If we were on a good little run, I’d have taken a couple more days, couple more games,” Hart said. “I felt I could come in and help where I’m at right now. I’m good. I always feel if I’m banged up a little bit and I go out there and play and get the movement and all that it helps me heal faster.”
Hart, who never loses his conditioning, logged 31 hard minutes with 18 points and six assists. His performance included a steal plus breakaway layup with 2:55 remaining, giving the Knicks a 10-point lead, then a 12-foot jumper in the final 90 seconds that felt like the victory sealer.
Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Portland, Ore. AP
Hart’s teammates also made plays in crunch time, with the exception of Karl-Anthony Towns, the struggling All-Star center, who was subbed out with 9:24 remaining and didn’t play again. Without KAT, the Knicks won the final five minutes 20-10, two days after Jalen Brunson and Co. faltered down the stretch in Phoenix.
Every Knicks starter, including Towns, scored at least 18 points. OG Anunoby dropped 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 in the final 4:15. Mitchell Robinson nabbed six offensive rebounds.
The locker room felt good about Hart being back.
“His energy is contagious,” Brunson said.
Added Mike Brown, “It’s huge. Josh, like I said before, a lot of our guys are irreplaceable and especially a guy like Josh who does so many little things for you.”
Hart’s impact was immediate Sunday.
He scored eight points in the opening four minutes, as the Blazers dared Hart to shoot 3s by leaving him wide open on the perimeter.
Since the Blazers initially used a center to defend Hart, the Knicks forward was frequently able to bring up the ball unchallenged, allowing Brunson to rest his legs for those important fourth-quarter minutes.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, drives to the basket as Portland Trail Blazers center/forward Robert Williams III, left, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Portland, Ore. AP
“I think there was certain situations when I was out, like the San Antonio game [a New Year’s Eve loss], for example, where they’re blitzing JB, and I’d be able to help, being in that pocket and playmaking and kind of helping guys, being in those kind of positions, stuff like that,” Hart said. “Or you’re watching and saying like, ‘Damn, if I was out there I could help in this way, help in that way.’ ”
In his successful return, Hart shot 7-for-15 and 3-for-5 from deep with two steals and a block, as the Knicks (25-14) held the Blazers (19-21) to 54 points in the second half.
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It became a reassurance to the fans that Hart’s presence could help stop the bleeding.
Still, Hart said he felt no pressure to be a savior. If anything, the team’s struggles alleviated that. He could only be the hero.
And he left Portland with a victory.
“I don’t think there’s pressure when I’m coming back. It’d probably be more pressure if we were on a five-game winning streak,” Hart said. “I can’t come in and mess things up. If we were on a five-game winning streak, I probably wouldn’t be playing.”