Knicks Star Josh Hart Admits He’s Suffering From Mental Health Issues

When asked about a teammate's fatigue last month, Jalen Brunson joked, "Josh is old as s***." The line drew laughs, but it also hinted at how rough the start has been for the defending champions. This week, Josh Hart himself gave a much more serious answer about where he stands. The veteran forward told reporters he is not in a good place mentally.

New York Post beat writer Stefan Bondy reported that Hart's issues "aren't exclusive to his shot." The Knicks veteran said he is struggling mentally during a disappointing start to the season and does not know how to break out of it.

"Wish I could tell you," Hart said. "Don't know. Right now I'm not in a good headspace, and I got to figure out how to improve that. And improve my play."

Asked what he meant, Hart was direct. "Just mentally," he said. "Got to be better mentally. Got to figure stuff out."

He spoke after the Knicks' 106-104 loss to the Pacers in NBA Cup group play, a game in which he scored zero points and was benched by coach Mike Brown during a rotation change.

Josh Hart is shooting just 36% this season, averaging 7.3 points and making 29.5% of his three-pointers. That is a far cry from last season, when he shot above 50% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.

Hart's struggles are part of a broader pattern. The Knicks were among the NBA's top five offenses last season, but their title defense has been chaotic. Brunson, the Finals MVP, is shooting at career-low marks; Mikal Bridges took four games to hit a three-pointer; and Brown has pointed to on-ball defense, indecision on offense and players standing around as problems.

Hart's role is central. He has been described as the emotional center of the Knicks since he arrived in 2023, someone who is often seen stewing after a poor game. That emotional presence is a strength when things go well, and it makes his comments more significant when they do not.

Physical issues may also be part of the picture. Hart reportedly told Bondy a calf injury kept him out for three weeks in September, and he hurt his right ankle in training camp before reaggravating it in the regular season. He has missed three games this year, two with the ankle and one with an illness.

Those setbacks could explain some of his lost rhythm, though Hart pointed to his mental state.

The contract situation adds another layer. In October, the Knicks suspended extension talks with Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns until later in the season, and reports have wondered whether that uncertainty is weighing on him.

Teammates have been supportive. McBride told ESPN that the team is mature enough to have hard conversations and that anyone can step up. Brunson, Hart's close friend, made his joke about the fatigue, but the two have long been known for ribbing each other, which makes his light tone less surprising.

For Brown, the challenge is to balance patience with results. His patience is reportedly wearing thin, as the benching suggests, but the coach has said he is focused on the long game and not on panic. The Knicks are not out of the race, but they cannot rely on a slump to fix itself.

Hart's honesty is also notable on its own. Athletes rarely describe their mental state during a poor stretch, and his willingness to say he does not have the answer is part of why the comments received so much attention.

If Josh Hart returns to form, the interview will be remembered as the moment he admitted it. If not, it will be the start of a longer conversation about his role.