Knicks’ Josh Hart ejected, injured in Abu Dhabi opener

Hart, who is wearing a split on his right ring finger following surgery, came down with a rebound and landed awkwardly trying to avoid a tie-up with 76ers. (REUTERS)
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Updated 03 October 2025
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Knicks’ Josh Hart ejected, injured in Abu Dhabi opener

  • Hart, who is wearing a split on his right ring finger following surgery, came down with a rebound and landed awkwardly trying to avoid a tie-up with 76ers

Josh Hart was injured and ejected on the same play in the Knicks’ exhibition win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Hart, who is wearing a split on his right ring finger following surgery, came down with a rebound and landed awkwardly trying to avoid a tie-up with 76ers forward Kennedy Chandler and went to the ground in pain in front of the 76ers bench.
After grabbing his third rebound of the game in seven minutes of court time, Hart went to the floor and fired the ball across the court and into the stands, prompting referees to eject him from the game.
“I didn’t see him go down,” new Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “I saw him down and he looked like he was in considerable pain when he was down. He’s day-to- day. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
The Knicks won the game 99-84. The teams will play again Saturday (11 a.m. ET).
Brown said the Knicks will list Hart’s injury as “lower back soreness.”
The Knicks reiterated the injury is not considered serious.


Saudi Pro League warns Al-Nassr’s Ronaldo no player is bigger than club

Updated 56 min 27 sec ago
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Saudi Pro League warns Al-Nassr’s Ronaldo no player is bigger than club

  • Ronaldo did not take part in the club’s SPL win at Al-Riyadh on Monday and is now set to miss Friday night’s clash against Al-Ittihad

RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League has warned Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo that “no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club” amid doubts over his future at Al–Nassr.

Ronaldo, reportedly unhappy at the club’s lack of transfer activity, did not take part in the club’s Saud Pro League win at Al-Riyadh on Monday and is now set to miss Friday night’s clash against Al-Ittihad.

In a statement issued to BBC Sport, a Saudi Pro League spokesperson said: “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules.

“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.”

The 40-year Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh on Monday amid reports he is on strike over the club’s lack of transfer activity.

Portuguese media outlet A Bola reported that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was unhappy that Al-Nassr, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has not strengthened its squad as it challenges for the league title.

“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al–Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition,” the Saudi Pro League spokesperson said.

“Like any elite competitor, he wants to win.

“But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.

“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.”

The Saudi Pro League spokesperson added: “The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.

“The focus remains on football – on the pitch, where it belongs – and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.”