Josh Hart, the New York Knicks’ player, was sidelined due to knee soreness as the team faced the Washington Wizards on Thursday night. This marked his first absence from a game this season, raising concerns about his performance in the first 41 games.

Hart, who joined the Knicks from the Trail Blazers last February, expressed his determination to enhance his game during the latter half of the season. Despite a strong performance in the previous game against the Rockets, contributing 10 points and 14 rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench, he acknowledged the need to elevate his overall performance.

The player, who signed a four-year contract extension worth $81 million in August, has experienced a decline in various statistical categories compared to his impact following the trade-deadline arrival last spring. His 3-point shooting percentage has notably dropped to 31.9% for the season, down from an impressive 51.9% during his initial 25 games with the Knicks.

While Hart remains optimistic about his ability to bounce back, the Knicks’ coach, Tom Thibodeau, emphasized the player’s importance to the team despite the current setbacks.