Josh Hart is in, but Miles McBride and, to a lesser extent, Quentin Grimes appear to be out.
In the first look at the Knicks’ lineup following the trade deadline, featuring the newly added Hart in his team debut Saturday, head coach Tom Thibodeau benched McBride for the 126-120 win over the Jazz at the Garden.
McBride did not play, while Grimes did not step on the court in the fourth quarter, with Hart playing and starring for the entire period.
Hart was quietly excellent, doing a little of everything (11 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals) while showing he already has earned Thibodeau’s trust.
With the arrival of Josh Hart, Quentin Grimes started the Knicks’ 126-120 win over the Jazz but did not play in the fourth quarter. NBAE via Getty ImagesThe Knicks had whittled down their rotation to nine beginning in early December, when McBride, who had played in 35 straight games before Saturday, solidified a spot and Derrick Rose and Evan Fournier lost theirs.
Now, it’s McBride’s turn to take a seat, with the rotation remaining at nine after the addition of Hart.
“It’s not easy. But that’s part of being a team and putting the team first,” Thibodeau said of McBride. “I love Deuce, and I love the way he’s played.”
McBride, an aggressive defender off the bench, had been used in spurts. He had averaged 15.1 minutes per game since entering the rotation. McBride’s weakness has been his 3-point shot. He was shooting 28.8 percent from beyond the arc in 45 total games.
Josh Hart Jason Szenes for the New York Post“Just stay ready. I love who he is as a person. I love the way he’s worked,” Thibodeau said of the 22-year-old, second-year guard. “I love his improvement. You never know when it comes back around. So nothing’s set in stone.”
The Knicks’ starting lineup — Jalen Brunson, Grimes, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and Jericho Sims — went unchanged. Hart, Immanuel Quickley and Isaiah Hartenstein entered late in the first quarter, and Obi Toppin entered in the second quarter.
Their closing lineup, however, included Hart, who seemed to grab every loose ball. Grimes, a top-notch defender, scored one point on 0-for-3 shooting in 22 minutes.
“We’re still trying to figure this out,” Thibodeau said.
The deadline trade that imported Hart and exported Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono and Svi Mykhailiuk opened two roster spots.
The Knicks would have to add players by March 1 to ensure they are eligible for the postseason.
“We’ll see who’s available, what makes the most sense for us,” Thibodeau said.
What kind of player might the Knicks seek?
“Good player,” Thibodeau said. “That’s my bias.”
Hart asked to make a statement about the Trail Blazers, his former team, which is now facing questions over Gary Payton II.
Portland agreed to trade the guard to the Warriors in a four-team deal, but he did not pass his physical. According to ESPN, the Warriors believe the Blazers withheld medical information before completing the trade.
“I just wanted to say: Portland as an organization was great,” Hart said. “[General manager] Joe Cronin’s been great. That organization is nothing but a class act in the front office and the training room. And I just want to say that organization is respectful, a class act, did everything by the book, and that’s just all I got to say about that.”







