Knicks
The Knicks welcomed back Josh Hart after an eight-game absence caused by a right ankle injury suffered on Christmas Day, and the difference was noticeable.
New York went 3-5 without Hart and posted the third-worst defensive rating in the league during that stretch, writes Vincent Goodwill of ESPN. Hart finished with 18 points and six rebounds in a 123-114 win at Portland, helping stabilize both ends of the court.
Although owner James Dolan recently said he expects a finale with the current team, league sources say the Knicks have been quietly exploring the market for a backup big man, by Goodwill. There was also some openness to signing Guerschon Yabusele during the offseason as the trade deadline approached.
Thunder
First-round pick Nikola Topic announced he was back on the field after completing a recent round of chemotherapy, as relayed by ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
The Serbian guard, selected 12th overall in the 2024 draft, was diagnosed with testicular cancer just before the season. He had already missed his freshman year while rehabbing a torn ACL, but was cleared to make his preseason debut in early October, scoring 10 points in 31 minutes before opting out following the diagnosis.
Pistons
The injuries piled up for Detroit, Goodwill writes. Cade Cunningham has missed two straight games, while Jalen Duren and Tobias Harris have also been sidelined.
The Pistons have four straight days off before Thursday’s game against Phoenix. Their recent 30-point win over the Knicks captured league-wide attention and added intrigue ahead of the trade deadline.
Detroit has a $14 million trade exception that remains usable through July. According to Goodwill, the Pistons should explore options for shooting help and a secondary scorer alongside Cunningham, particularly if a short-term addition fits their long-term financial situation.
