Josh Hart is expected to return for the Knicks sometime on their four‑game road trip between January 9 and January 15, 2026, if his rehab continues without setbacks. Team and media reports describe his ankle sprain as improving, with light on‑court work resumed and a reevaluation timeline of about a week pointing to a mid‑January comeback window rather than an exact game.

Quick scoop

  • Josh Hart sprained his right ankle on Christmas Day and has missed multiple games since then.
  • He has been cleared for light court work and scheduled for short‑term reevaluations, which usually signal a near‑term return rather than a long absence.
  • A prominent Knicks insider has reported that the most likely return window is during the Knicks’ January 9–15 road trip, though back‑to‑back games could limit his first appearances or minutes.

What “return window” really means

  • There is no officially locked‑in game yet; the team is giving a range so trainers can see how the ankle responds after each step‑up in activity.
  • Phrases like “within a week,” “on the horizon,” and “hopefully back soon” from both insiders and Hart’s own comments indicate optimism but also caution about re‑injury.

How this affects the Knicks

  • Without Hart, New York has hit a small skid and clearly misses his defense, rebounding, and connective playmaking on the wing.
  • His return, even on a minutes restriction, should stabilize the rotation and help on the boards and in transition, areas where his energy typically swings close games.

In forum and social discussions, the consensus is that fans are circling that January 9–15 stretch as the realistic answer to “when will Josh Hart return,” while accepting that exact day may shift slightly depending on how his ankle responds day‑to‑day.

TL;DR: The best current expectation is that Josh Hart returns sometime during the January 9–15 road trip , barring any setback, rather than a specific guaranteed date.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.