NBA Notes: Knicks, Josh Hart, Grizzlies, Christian Koloko, Bulls

Knicks

The Knicks looked more like themselves with Josh Hart back on the floor.

Hart returned to the starting lineup in Sunday’s win at Portland, logging 31 minutes and finishing with 18 points, three rebounds and six assists. He had missed time with a right ankle sprain suffered on Christmas Day and said lingering pain delayed his return.

“I wanted to come back for the Clippers game,” Hart said, via James L. Edwards of The Athletic. “But I learned a day or two before that wasn’t going to happen because of how it was feeling. I felt like I could come in and help with where I am right now.”

New York had dropped five of its previous six games without Hart, and slow starts became a theme during his absence. According to Edwards, the energy level improved immediately Sunday, as the Knicks moved to 12-3 this season with Hart in the starting lineup.

“A lot of our guys are irreplaceable, but especially a guy like Josh,” coach Mike Brown said. “He helps our pace. He runs, throws it ahead and pushes the ball. We get easy baskets when we play like that.”

Grizzlies

Christian Koloko’s second 10-day contract has expired, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac. Memphis would need to sign Koloko to a standard deal to retain him for the rest of the season.

Koloko appeared in 11 games during the stint, making two starts and averaging 2.6 points and four rebounds in 17.7 minutes per game.

Bulls

The postponed Jan. 8 game between Chicago and the Miami Heat has been rescheduled for Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. ET, NBA Communications announced.

The previously scheduled Jan. 30 meeting in Miami has been moved to Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. ET.

The original game was postponed due to moisture on the court at the United Center. Slick conditions were discovered during warmups following a Chicago Blackhawks game the night before, with unseasonably warm and rainy weather contributing to the issue.

As a result, the Heat and Bulls will now play three consecutive games against each other. Chicago was already set to visit Miami on Feb. 1.

Both teams will also play on Jan. 28, meaning each will face a stretch of four games in five nights. Chicago visits the Pacers that night, while Miami hosts the Magic.