New York Knicks Officially Lift Minutes Restriction On Top Star

The New York Knicks have incredibly high expectations in 2025–26, and with the team reaching the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago, it may be Championship or bust in Mike Brown's first season as head coach. Through three games, the team is 2-1 with two big time victories, and with their impressive depth and star power, this team has all the makings of the best team in the East in 2025–26.

However, they are dealing with some injuries early in the year, with both Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart missing the season opener, although Hart would return shortly after, and he was on a minutes restriction. Now, according to James Edwards of The Athletic, that minutes restriction is now over after Hart played 20 minutes in his season debut.

What that doesn't mean, however, is that Hart will go back to playing over 36 minutes a night like he did a year ago under Tom Thibodeau, with Brown clearly preferring to spread out the minutes and open up the rotation through three games. After his season debut, Brown was full of praise for Hart, and while his role won't be as big as it was in 2023–2025, he's still a key piece for the Knicks.

"Josh, man, monster, monster, monster," Brown said. "Not only did he guard everybody, he had six offensive rebounds, eight defensive. I don't know if I've ever seen this before — 14 rebounds in 19 minutes — just a phenomenal, phenomenal game doing the dirty stuff by Josh."

As of right now, Hart remains a bench piece with Deuce McBride taking a spot in the starting lineup, but whether or not he remains there or becomes a starter again, the minutes restriction has officially been lifted.