Why Knicks’ Josh Hart Will Play with a Taped Finger for the Rest of His Career

The Reality of a Career-Defining Injury

The persistent finger injury stems from the 2025 NBA playoffs, when Hart sustained damage to the ring finger on his shooting hand. Following an initial surgical procedure during the summer of 2025, the forward encountered subsequent complications before training camp. Although he initially hoped an offseason procedure could permanently fix the joint, medical evaluations established that the only remaining surgical alternative would be a joint replacement—a procedure that would effectively end his playing career.

Hart addressed the persistent public curiosity regarding his taped hand on his X (formerly Twitter) account to set expectations once and for all. “Histoire de ne plus avoir à répondre à cette question : il n’y a plus d’autre opération possible pour moi, à part un remplacement de l’articulation,” Hart wrote on the social media platform. “Si je remplace l’articulation, je ne plus jouer avec et ma carrière est terminée. Donc mon doigt restera strappé jusqu’à ma retraite.” In English translation, the veteran wing clarified that no further operations remain viable outside of a joint replacement, which would force his immediate retirement from the league, ensuring the finger stays taped until he hangs up his sneakers.

Overcoming Physical and Mental Obstacles on the Court

The damaged articulation created significant hurdles for the New York Knicks rotation player, particularly during the early stages of the previous campaign. Hart acknowledged publicly that he had to battle through both physical and mental barriers to adjust his shooting mechanics and ball-handling grip with the restricted digit.

Despite the persistent physical limitation, Hart’s production on the floor reached new heights. During the 2025-26 NBA season, he appeared in 66 games, averaging 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in roughly 30 minutes per contest while shooting 50.8 percent from the field. Most notably, Hart converted 41.3 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc—marking the highest three-point shooting percentage of his career.

Year-by-Year Statistical Evolution

Hart’s journey through the NBA illustrates a steady expansion of his role, evolving from a rotational guard with the Los Angeles Lakers to an indispensable starter and glue guy for New York. The following statistical ledger outlines his regular-season production across stints with the Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, and Knicks:

With his long-term treatment plan locked in, Hart remains an essential piece of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation as the Knicks prepare for upcoming fixtures on the NBA calendar.