Josh Hart is methodically working his way back.
The Knicks guard is still not practicing with the team, but he has advanced to on-court work, coach Mike Brown said on Sunday.
Hart has been dealing with back spasms and hasn’t appeared in the past two preseason games.
The concern is that Hart is missing critical time as the Knicks learn a new system on both offense and defense.
“He’s practiced a few times, played in one game. So you have a feel of what you’re going to get from Josh,” Brown said. “But the tough part about it is because what we’re doing is new, and he hasn’t gone through it, he’s a little behind in that regard.
“But he’s got a great feel, has watched us enough, he should be able to jump in. He might be a few steps behind, but he should be able to catch up quickly with the guys.”
Josh Hart reacts during the first half of the Knicks’ Oct. 2 preseason game. AP
Josh Hart walks off the court during the Knicks’ Oct. 2 preseason game. AP
Brown was noncommittal on his plans for his starters for Monday’s game against the Wizards at the Garden.
“We still wanna take a look at some guys,” the first-year Knicks coach said. “The more minutes I can get guys, the better for us to make decisions, but I’m not 100 percent sure.”
In three preseason games, the Knicks are averaging 44 3-point attempts.
Miles McBride believes it’s simply a byproduct of the up-tempo, ball-moving style.
They tried 57, and made 15, in the most recent game, against the Timberwolves.
What’s happening on and off the Garden court
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“I think it’s just the more we’re playing,” McBride said. “I think it’s the fast pace of the game, us driving, kicking out for open 3s. Swing, swing drive again. I think it’s just, ‘you’re open, you shoot it.’”