At the start of their title defense, the Knicks faced a problem. Or, in the words of Josh Hart, “a little conundrum.” 

Their minds were past the championship. Their bodies were not. It was the product of a short offseason that was filled with off-the-court appearances and business opportunities. 

“I think it’s a tough spot. It’s kinda like a little conundrum because obviously we played into mid-June. Then in the summer, obviously you’re working out, you’re doing that, but you also are enjoying the fruits of the labor of winning in terms of going to brand [appearances]. Off the court, it’s kind of booming for you,” said Hart, who sat Wednesday’s game against the Bulls with ankle soreness, the first DNP for a starter this season. “So you’re doing all of that, so that takes a little bit of a wear on you. And then you get into it. So, sometimes the body has to kinda catch up.” 

The Knicks became the first reigning champs to lose their first three games since the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. They’ve already lost twice to the Sixers, the team the Knicks swept in the second round five months prior.