INDIANAPOLIS — It is always surprising — even jarring — to see Josh Hart come out of a game, especially during the playoffs.
Asking out is something else entirely.
The Knicks’ iron man appeared to suffer a stomach or left-side issue Friday night in the first quarter of Game 6 against the Pacers.
Hart, who already has played four complete games in the Knicks’ first 11 of the postseason, even appeared to motion to the bench to be removed nearly midway through the third quarter.
He was seen wearing a heating pad while being attended to by trainers, but he re-entered the game with 3:19 left in the period.
Hart initially was removed and replaced by Precious Achiuwa barely five minutes into the game.
He was seen talking with team trainers near the visiting bench and then checked back into the game with 4:57 remaining in the period.
The two-way wing played the rest of the quarter, including registering a blocked shot at the rim against Pascal Siakim.
But Hart did not start the second, and he didn’t come out of the locker room until after play had resumed.
Still, he checked back into the game 2:12 into the session, and he buried a 3-pointer with 6:19 to go for a 46-44 Knicks lead.
Hart ended up logging 20 minutes by halftime.