The Knicks try to navigate a season riddled with accidents, and the upcoming NBA All-Star break supplies a much-needed alternative for restoration.
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) has already been dominated out for Tuesday’s sport towards the Indiana Pacers, whereas OG Anunoby (foot/toe) remained questionable forward of tipoff on the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Knicks additionally listed Josh Hart as possible to play by means of proper knee soreness, and Karl-Anthony Cities has been managing each a thumb sprain and recurring knee soreness all through the season.
Think about New York’s quick rotation, which leans closely on its starters, plus the bodily toll Jalen Brunson endures each night time as the first offensive goal, and it’s clear the Knicks are carrying down halfway by means of the season.
That’s why Anunoby’s questionable designation is little greater than a tactical determination. The Knicks by no means anticipated him to return earlier than the All-Star break. The chance merely isn’t price it.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has emphasised that he desires his workforce taking part in its greatest basketball on the finish of the season — however that solely occurs in the event that they’re at full power. The cautious method isn’t simply sensible — it’s needed.
It’s additionally the one logical path ahead for a workforce with heightened expectations following a summer season of daring strikes. The Knicks made their championship ambitions clear after they traded 5 first-round picks for Mikal Bridges, then shocked the league by transferring Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota for Cities simply earlier than coaching camp in Charleston, S.C.
And for them to contend? They should be wholesome. The All-Star break offers the Knicks an opportunity to get wholesome, whereas risking a re-injury simply earlier than the break may have ramifications down the highway.
INCHING CLOSER
Thibodeau informed reporters that each Anunoby and Robinson — who hasn’t performed since sustaining a second stress fracture in his left ankle in Could — participated in components of observe on Monday.
“So steady progress,” Thibodeau stated after observe on the workforce’s Tarrytown facility. “But still not ready.”
Tuesday’s sport towards the Pacers would mark Anunoby’s fourth consecutive absence with what the Knicks are calling a proper foot sprain. Nevertheless, ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that the damage is extra particularly a toe subject. If Anunoby additionally sits out Wednesday’s back-to-back towards the Atlanta Hawks, he’ll have two and a half weeks to completely get better earlier than the Knicks return from the break.
Robinson’s return, nevertheless, stays additional out.
“Mitch, obviously he’s doing more and more each day,” Thibodeau stated. “But he needs more time.”
That’s precisely what the Knicks will get — a full week off to heal up earlier than the season’s second half.
LOOKING FOR A RESPONSE
Regardless of the accidents, the Knicks want to shut out the primary half of the season on a powerful word after Saturday’s blowout loss to the defending champion Boston Celtics.
“We can’t just dwell on what just happened. Obviously, we lost,” Brunson stated Monday after observe. “We got our asses kicked. How do we move forward from that? We can’t just sit here and feel sorry for ourselves.”
The Knicks received one other actuality examine of their second loss to Boston this season — a reminder of simply how excessive the bar is for a workforce with championship aspirations.
“They played very well,” Josh Hart stated. “We didn’t play well, and they won. That simple.”
