BOSTON — Josh Hart, who logged DNPs the past two games with a knee injury, was upgraded to questionable for Sunday afternoon’s contest against the Celtics.
OG Anunoby is also questionable with a sprained foot — although he played Friday night in Cleveland after being listed with the same designation.
Hart was sorely missed in the blowout loss to the Cavaliers, who ran all over the Knicks and pummeled them in transition.
The 29-year-old wasn’t with the team in Cleveland but presumably joined the Knicks in Boston, hence the upgrade in his status.
It’s the first time in Hart’s career with the Knicks that he missed consecutive games.
Anunoby’s status is only concerning because he appeared to aggravate his foot in the third quarter while falling awkwardly to the court.
He assured postgame that he wasn’t reinjured, just experienced a “misstep.”
Mitchell Robinson, as expected, was ruled out again as he continues his long recovery from ankle surgery.
The center resumed full practice last week but said he wanted to make sure he’s “100 percent ready” before jumping into games.
“I’ve just been taking my time. I want to make sure it’s 100 percent, I ain’t trying to keep having these sit-outs and setbacks and stuff like that,” Robinson said. “This time, I’m just going to play it smart. Usually, I’d be young and dumb to go out there and try to get back as fast as I can. I can’t do that no more.”
The last time the Knicks were in Boston — way back in October — rookie Pacome Dadiet was a surprise addition to the opening-night rotation.
But that didn’t last long. By Game 3, Dadiet, the No. 25 overall pick in the 2024 draft, logged his first DNP.
By November, he was in the G-League and his opportunities with the Knicks, outside of garbage time, mostly dried up.
Much of this was expected after the Knicks drafted the teenager out of Europe.
He was always a project and was drafted earlier than expected while accepting less contractual money to help facilitate the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.
In an interview with The Post, Dadiet explained that he’s learning without playing and adjusting to the differences in the NBA game compared to Europe.
“I try to be focused and watch what others are doing, guys that have been in the league for like 10 years,” Dadiet said. “Having a routine is very important. Watching [Towns and Cam Payne] doing the same thing every day. And it’s working for them.”
Does he now feel like he belongs?
“Yeah, of course. Like, I didn’t know anything about the NBA game coming here. I would say it’s more in my head,” Dadiet said. “I know a lot more things about the American game, like defense. Like in transition, in Europe, if you got two defenders in front of you, you stop, you look behind you. Here, you got to be more aggressive and go at the basket.”
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