The Knicks had been already skinny at middle after they arrived at Madison Sq. Backyard for Friday evening’s interborough assembly with the Nets.
However that depth took the most important doable hit about half-hour earlier than tip-off, when main scorer and rebounder Karl-Anthony Cities was dominated out with a knee damage.
The newly acquired Cities, who had been listed as questionable, was made inactive after he went by his pregame warmups at Madison Sq. Backyard, marking his first missed sport of the season.
The damage stemmed from a collision between Cities and Chicago Bulls star Zack LaVine late within the Knicks’ 124-123 dwelling loss on Wednesday.
The 7-footer’s absence Friday added one other woe to an injury-plagued Knicks frontcourt that’s been with out middle Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and forward-center Valuable Achiuwa (hamstring) all season.
Jericho Sims began in Cities’ place Friday, whereas 7-foot rookie Ariel Hukporti obtained elevated taking part in break day the bench.
The Knicks traded for Cities, a four-time All-Star, lower than three weeks earlier than the beginning of the season, sending ahead Julius Randle and guard Donte DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The commerce has paid off to date, with Cities, who hails from close by New Jersey, averaging 26.5 factors and 12.2 rebounds by his first 11 video games.
Friday was Cities’ twenty ninth birthday.
Cities was made inactive hours after the Nets dominated out their beginning middle, Nic Claxton, whom they recognized with a lower-back contusion. Claxton is predicted to overlook a minimum of per week.
