Hart has been doing everything for the Knicks this season—averaging 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists while bringing that signature grit every night. He defends, hustles, and rebounds like a big man, making him one of the most valuable players on the roster. Losing him, even for a short time, would be a huge blow.

So, what exactly is patellofemoral pain syndrome? According to OrthoInfo, it’s a condition that causes pain in the front of the knee and around the kneecap. Athletes, especially those who run and jump a lot (sound familiar?), deal with it often. The main causes? Overuse and improper kneecap alignment.

The good news? With rest, physical therapy, and strengthening exercises, it usually gets better. The bad news? If not handled properly, it can stick around and become a nagging issue. Given Thibs’ track record with heavy minutes, that’s definitely a concern.

Knicks fans react like certified doctors—and their Josh Hart diagnoses are wild

Of course, Knicks fans didn’t wait for an official diagnosis—they went full Google MD mode as soon as the news dropped. X (Formerly Twitter) turned into an unofficial sports medicine clinic, and the takes were hilarious.

One fan confidently declared: “Takes 4-6 weeks to recover. It happens when you are too active. It’s called ‘runner’s knee.’” Believe it or not, this isn’t just a random Twitter guess—there’s actually some truth to it. OrthoInfo says PFPS can clear up in a few weeks if mild, but if it sticks around, recovery could take 4-6 weeks with rest and therapy. Knicks fans may not have medical degrees, but they clearly did their research overnight.

Another fan went full detective mode: “I feel like he’s had an ‘overuse’ type knee injury for a while now.” And honestly? That might be spot on. Josh Hart has been playing 37 minutes per game, and some nights, Thibodeau has pushed him past the 40-minute mark. For a guy who plays at full speed every second, he’s on the court, that kind of workload adds up. At this point, it’s fair to wonder if this injury was inevitable.

Then came this gem: “It’s OK. Keep playing him 40+ minutes every night. At some point, these players will realize that the coach is shortening their careers.” Knicks fans have been yelling about Thibs’ insane minute distribution for years, and they’re not wrong. His history of running guys into the ground goes way back to his Bulls days—just ask Derrick Rose, and Luol Deng. The guy coaches every game like it’s Game 7 of the Finals, and while that’s great for winning, it also explains why fans constantly worry about injuries.

And then there was this fan, who didn’t hold back: “When does Thibs pay the professional price for this bulls–t? You all joke about the minutes police, but he abuses his players. Has for years. It’s time for him to go and time you held him to account and stopped treating him like Teflon Thibs.” Oof. Knicks fans love winning, but they also see what happens when Thibodeau pushes players too hard. Hart’s injury isn’t just about one guy—it’s about a pattern that’s been happening for years. If the injuries keep piling up, the pressure on Thibs to change his approach (or face consequences) will only get louder.

Knicks fans might not be doctors, but they sure know how to diagnose both medical issues and coaching problems. Now the question is—how bad is this going to get? Do you think Thibs’ coaching style is a real problem, or are fans overreacting? Drop your take in the comments.