Josh Hart is going through his worst moment with the Knicks: "I'm not in a good mental state"

The New York Knicks are experiencing a start to the season with more difficulties than expected, and Josh Hart is one of the players who is suffering the most. The forward admitted that he is not in a good mental state after failing to score in the 106-104 loss against the Indiana Pacers, in a game corresponding to the NBA Cup in which he also did not play in the final quarter.

Hart finished with 0 of 4 in field goals and could not contribute points to a team that needed his usual energy to try to avoid another defeat. After the game, the player did not hide his frustration and admitted that he still does not know how to get out of this situation.

"I wish I could tell you. I don’t know. Right now, I’m not in a good mental state, and I have to find a way to improve that and improve my game," he acknowledged to reporters.

His words reflect the concern surrounding his performance. Hart is averaging only 7.3 points per game, the lowest figure of his entire NBA career, in a season start where he has also had to deal with discomfort in his ankle and health issues.

Furthermore, his lack of offensive production has stretched over several games. He has not exceeded 10 points since October 25, accumulating six consecutive games without reaching that figure. This is particularly striking for a player who usually contributes much more than scoring, thanks to his ability to rebound, defend, and create second chances.

Josh Hart, sidelined during the last quarter against Indiana

The loss against the Pacers left another significant image: Hart did not return to the floor during the last quarter. The coaching staff decided to exclude him during the critical stretch of the game, a situation that reflects the difficulties he is having in finding his place in the rotation.

The player was not the only important member of the Knicks who started the season below expectations. Mikal Bridges had also struggled to find his best version and had even been sent to the bench in previous games. However, against Indiana he managed to respond with 18 points and a notable 8 of 12 in field goals.

OG Anunoby, for his part, continues to have difficulty finding offensive consistency. Against the Pacers, he finished with 4 of 13 shooting and acknowledged that he does not know why he is having so many problems converting near the basket.

The situation of Hart is especially important due to everything he brings to the collective functioning of New York. His intensity, rebounding ability, and defensive work are fundamental characteristics for a team that needs to regain the solidity that allowed it to win the championship last season.

Doubts about his renewal also surround Josh Hart

On top of the sporting issues, there is uncertainty about his contractual future. Hart had hoped to reach a contract extension with the Knicks before the start of the season, but the franchise announced on October 9 that it was halting discussions with both him and Karl-Anthony Towns.

This decision adds another element of uncertainty to a campaign that is not starting as the forward expected. Although no direct relationship has been established between his contractual situation and his performance, the fact that he has not managed to finalize his renewal before the start of the season is part of the context surrounding the player.

Meanwhile, the Knicks need to regain their best version. The loss to Indiana left the reigning champion with a record of 6-6, a mark that highlights the difficulties it is facing in maintaining the level of the previous season.

Hart knows he needs to react, and not only from a basketball standpoint. "I just have to be better. I have to be better mentally. I need to regain my mental balance," he acknowledged after the game.

The forward now faces the challenge of regaining confidence, overcoming his physical issues, and becoming an important piece for a Knicks team that needs much more from one of its key rotation players.