Josh Hart Downgraded to Doubtful, Leaving the Knicks Without Their Engine

Josh Hart has officially been downgraded to doubtful for Tuesday night with an illness, which means the New York Knicks are about to lose their primary source of chaotic energy.

When a guy who plays every possession like he is trying to win a loose-ball drill at a high school tryout gets sidelined by a bug, you know it is not just the sniffles. Hart is the ultimate glue guy, and his absence leaves a massive dent in the rotation.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Josh Hart (illness) downgraded to doubtful Tuesday.'"

For context, Hart has been stuffing the stat sheet this season with 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. He is shooting nearly 38 percent from deep and basically serves as the transmission for the entire New York offense.

Taking him off the floor means the Knicks have to dig deep into the bench. Expect guys like Mo Diawara and Landry Shamet to get thrown into the fire to soak up those vacant wing minutes.

This also shifts the entire betting landscape for the night. Without Hart grabbing every long rebound and pushing the pace, Jalen Brunson is going to have to carry an even heavier offensive workload. Prop bettors usually flock to Brunson's usage rate the second Hart hits the injury report.

The Knicks have already dealt with Hart missing an eight-game stretch earlier this year with an ankle issue, and they know how ugly things can get when they lack his rebounding from the guard spot.

New York will have to survive Tuesday without their ironman. If you are holding tickets for this game, prepare for a much slower, grind-it-out style of basketball until Hart clears the medical staff and gets back on the floor.