A collective groan could be heard around New York when it was announced that Jalen Brunson would be out at least two weeks with an ankle sprain. However, if one were to ask Josh Hart, life has not been so bad.

Josh Hart got chuckles in the locker room Monday night because the best jokes are tinged with truth. And this was his response to the question of why the defense has improved lately:

Brunson suffered a sprained right ankle in New York's overtime loss to the Lakers on Thursday and his looming absence could be costly

Knicks guard Josh Hart was asked after the win on Monday about the defensive surge lately. "JB's not out there," Hart said, at first with a straight face, but then breaking into a smile. Indeed, offensive star Jalen Brunson--Hart's college teammate from Villanova and a close friend--has not been out there for the Knicks.

We have reached the strangest possible stage of the Knicks season. They entered Tuesday’s game against the Warriors at the Garden with a 40-20 record, which translates to roughly 55-27 over a full season, which would be the most wins in a season since 1997, which … (“That’s nice. They’re also 0-7 against the Thunder, Cavaliers and Celtics .”)

Missing their captain, the Knicks leaned on defense, shooting and pace in a dominant showing against the Kings. Can they do it consistently?

New York will have to prove its mettle without its superstar captain in the wake of Thursday’s injury, writes .

The Knicks didn’t just win their first game since Jalen Brunson’s sprained ankle. See Also new york knicks Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns responds to Draymond Green’s ducking claim They dominated the Kings.