The New York Knicks delivered one of their most memorable wins of the season on Christmas Day, storming back to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126–124 at a packed Madison Square Garden. Trailing by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter, New York flipped the game with relentless pace, timely shooting, and poise under pressure.

Jalen Brunson led the charge with 34 points and six assists, controlling the tempo during the late surge. Off the bench, Jordan Clarkson caught fire with 25 points, while Tyler Kolek chipped in with 16 points and nine assists as the Knicks closed the game on a stunning run.

But as the comeback was unfolding, the Knicks were forced to navigate the final stretch without one of their most important glue guys. Josh Hart exited the game midway through the fourth quarter after suffering an apparent ankle injury, casting an immediate cloud over an otherwise electric Christmas victory.

How Josh Hart got injured vs the Cavaliers

Hart went down with roughly eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter while attacking the rim in transition. After contact underneath, he appeared to roll his right ankle and immediately collapsed to the floor in visible pain.

Despite the injury, Hart stayed on the court long enough to knock down both free throws, drawing a loud ovation from the Garden crowd. The Knicks then intentionally fouled to stop play, allowing Hart to limp to the locker room with help from the medical staff. He did not return.

Early indications suggest Hart may be dealing with a mild to moderate ankle sprain (Grade I–II), though the Knicks have not yet released an official diagnosis or recovery timeline. Initial fears of a more serious injury were quickly ruled out, and there has been no indication of Achilles involvement.

Hart’s availability for Friday’s matchup against the Atlanta Hawks remains uncertain, with further evaluation expected before the team issues an official update.

Before exiting, Hart had been productive, contributing in double figures and providing his usual defensive energy and rebounding. His potential absence would test New York’s depth, especially with other rotation players already managing lingering issues.

The Knicks showed resilience by finishing the comeback without him, leaning heavily on Brunson’s shot creation and Clarkson’s scoring burst. Over a longer stretch, however, replacing Hart’s versatility, rebounding, and effort will not be easy.

For now, New York celebrates a dramatic Christmas win. The bigger question is how long they may have to do it without one of their most reliable pieces.