Josh Hart noncommittal for opener as Mike Brown downplays ankle injury

Josh Hart was noncommittal Sunday about his availability for the New York Knicks’ season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, though head coach Mike Brown downplayed the ankle injury that kept the veteran guard out of the preseason finale, according to Ian Begley.

Brown said he does not think Hart’s ankle injury will impact his status for Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden. Hart, meanwhile, offered no firm answer about whether he will be ready when the defending champions open their season.

Hart is also playing through a lingering finger injury that he plans to keep wrapped during games. He has said surgery on the finger would effectively end his career, because a joint replacement would prevent him from rebounding, catching and shooting the way he needs to.

One of the Knicks’ key rotation players, Hart sat out the preseason finale with the ankle issue. His status will be monitored over the next two days leading into the opener.