It could be much worse.

Josh Hart’s knee bears watching but should not set off alarms.

The Knicks’ spark plug sat out Thursday’s 113-111 overtime win over the Bulls at the Garden, with what the team said is patellofemoral pain syndrome, which might sound more serious than it generally is in practice.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner’s knee, is pain at the front of or around the kneecap and is common, particularly with athletes whose sports involve running and jumping, according to a physical therapist reached by phone Thursday.

“I don’t think it’s going to derail anyone’s season,” Charles Homoky, who is with Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health, said of the syndrome.

Homoky has not examined Hart, whose injury first publicly popped up ahead of a Jan. 25 game against the Kings.

Beginning with that game, Hart had been featured on the injury report with what was called “right knee soreness.”

Hart had played through the soreness for nearly a month before it was given a public diagnosis and now has cost him a game, which came on the front end of a back-to-back.

“Just day to day,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said of Hart’s status for Friday’s game in Cleveland. “So we’ll see where he is going forward.”

Hart, who flies all over the floor and prides himself on out-hustling opponents, entered Thursday having played the second-most minutes in the NBA, trailing only teammate Mikal Bridges.

Before Thursday, Hart had missed just one game all season, for personal reasons.

Overuse is “the most common cause” of the condition, Homoky said, but other factors include muscle imbalances, weaknesses and mechanical or flexibility issues.

The cause of the condition likely will determine Hart’s treatment, which could range from physical therapy to ice to electrical stimulation to stretching.

Thibodeau said Hart practiced Tuesday and did not practice Wednesday, before reiterating the injury is “just soreness.”

Typically, Homoky said, athletes take “a short amount of time off and then ease back in.” Rarely are there complications that would lead to surgery or a more significant stretch of time on the sidelines.

Presuming a relatively speedy return to the court for Hart, his workload will be worth watching.

Will Thibodeau, who scoffs at the “minutes police” and has a reputation for working his best players hard, sit Hart for longer stretches? Hart was not available to speak publicly before Thursday’s game.

With six-plus weeks left in the regular season, the Knicks are third in the East, 2 ¹/₂ games back of the second-place Celtics and 5 ¹/₂ games ahead of the No. 4 Pacers, both of whom also won Thursday.

For much hope of charging up the standings, the Knicks probably would need plenty from a do-everything wing averaging 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.

Without Hart, the Knicks started Deuce McBride in a smaller lineup.

OG Anunoby missed a sixth straight game after being elevated to “questionable” in the lead-up.

The Knicks, who welcomed Mitchell Robinson back to the practice floor Wednesday for the first time this season, are nearing full health while still sustaining some setbacks. The hope is Hart’s setback is minor.

“If you’re available, great,” Thibodeau said. “And if not, the next guy has to be ready.”