The New York Knicks are on the brink of advancing to the next round, but their Game 6 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night comes with a major question mark: will Josh Hart be on the floor?

Hart, the Knicks' versatile and tenacious forward, left Tuesday’s dominant 126-97 Game 5 victory in the fourth quarter and did not return to the bench. After the game, head coach Mike Brown had no update on Hart’s condition, and team officials said the medical staff had not yet provided details on a potential injury.

Now, with a 3-2 series lead and a chance to close things out at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, the Knicks are facing some uncertainty. The first official injury report, released late Wednesday, listed Hart as questionable with a lower back contusion—the first time the team has acknowledged he is dealing with an issue.

Given the stakes, Hart is likely to push hard to play. Known for his grit, physical style, and willingness to battle through minor ailments, he has become a cornerstone of New York’s playoff run. Throughout this series, Hart has been a defensive Swiss Army knife, switching assignments from game to game and giving the Knicks the versatility to switch all pick-and-rolls.

But the injury is a concern. Hart appeared to tweak his back in the first half of Game 5 but stayed on the court until he was officially subbed out with 6:27 remaining. He then headed through the tunnel and never came back, raising questions about whether the move was precautionary or something more serious.

Even if Hart is sidelined, the Knicks have depth on the wing. Defensive specialists OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are ready to step up, giving New York plenty of matchup flexibility. Still, Hart’s energy and toughness are hard to replace, especially in a closeout game.

For now, all eyes are on Thursday’s injury report. Whether Hart suits up or not, the Knicks know they have a golden opportunity to advance—and they’ll need every ounce of that grit to finish the job.