Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau supplied key damage updates after follow on Friday, shedding gentle on the standing of two essential gamers as New York enters a pivotal stretch earlier than the All-Star break.
Beginning ahead OG Anunoby, who has been out since spraining his proper foot in a Feb. 1 matchup in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers, participated in “parts of practice” however didn’t soak up a lot contact. His restricted workload suggests his return stays in query because the Knicks strategy the Feb. 13-19 NBA All-Star break in San Francisco.
Thibodeau described Anunoby’s managed contact as “precautionary” and famous that the versatile defender is transferring effectively. Nevertheless, it’s clear he’s not but prepared for sport motion.
With solely three video games remaining earlier than the break — Saturday in opposition to the Boston Celtics, adopted by a Monday-Tuesday back-to-back at Indiana and residential in opposition to Atlanta — it seems unlikely Anunoby will return earlier than late February.
“Just take it day by day,” Thibodeau stated after follow on the workforce’s Tarrytown coaching facility. “Obviously, we’re hopeful he will be back, but if he’s not, next guy get in there and get the job done. We have good quality depth, but obviously OG is a huge part of our team.”
ROBINSON PROGRESSING, BUT NO TIMETABLE
Thibodeau additionally supplied an replace on Mitchell Robinson, who’s ramping up his rehab following a second surgery-inducing stress fracture to his left ankle final Could.
The Knicks’ rim protector participated in “quite a bit of practice” on Friday, marking a big step ahead. Whereas he has but to interact in full five-on-five drills, Robinson has attacked his rehab with depth, conserving his weight down and conditioning up.
Thibodeau famous that Robinson was among the many first gamers to reach on the facility on Friday morning, finishing particular person work earlier than workforce follow. He stated his conditioning is “pretty good,” contemplating Robinson has not performed since Sport 1 of final season’s second-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Indiana Pacers.
Robinson’s return might really feel like a midseason acquisition, offering the Knicks with a dominant defensive presence within the paint. The Cleveland Cavaliers, presently sitting atop the Japanese Convention, bolstered their very own roster on the commerce deadline by buying De’Andre Hunter from Atlanta in trade for Caris LeVert — including dimension, physicality, and three-point taking pictures to their depth chart.
The Knicks are banking on Robinson’s return to offer an identical increase. When wholesome, he’s one of many league’s premier rim protectors and offensive rebounders, an ideal complement to Karl-Anthony Cities, who has shouldered the majority of New York’s middle minutes.
Cities, who spent two seasons alongside four-time Defensive Participant of the Yr Rudy Gobert in Minnesota, expressed pleasure about pairing up with one other elite defensive anchor.
“Just a tall lineup. It’s gonna be exciting to kind of explore that,” Cities stated Friday. “I have some familiarity with it with Rudy, so it’ll be something that I’ll tap into that kind of potential well.”
Cities stated Robinson is bringing power each to the locker room and the follow flooring now that he’s again within the fold.
“Seeing Mitch is great. Being around him since I got here, it’s been awesome to be able to get to know him more on the friend side instead of just being his competitor,” stated the All-Star middle. “I respect him tremendously for what he does for this team. So it’s been great to be able to build a bond with him.”
Workforce captain Jalen Brunson additionally stated Robinson and Cities could possibly be a powerful four-five punch however emphasised endurance for the spry large man’s restoration.
“They have the potential to be very good,” Brunson stated. “I just want Mitch to come back fully healthy and ready to go. That’s my main focus — just making sure he’s 100 percent.”
DELON WRIGHT JOINS PRACTICE
New Knicks guard Delon Wright practiced with the workforce on Friday, giving Thibodeau an additional possibility in case of accidents or backcourt absences.
“Just a good solid veteran. He’s been around,” Thibodeau stated. “Gives us insurance at that position. Can guard multiple positions. So, we felt it was good for us.”
The Knicks acquired Wright, a powerful perimeter defender, within the deal that despatched embattled middle Jericho Sims to the Milwaukee Bucks. The veteran guard has constantly ranked among the many league leaders in deflections.
Whereas his defensive instincts might show priceless, he’s unlikely to crack the common rotation over the three-guard second unit of Miles McBride, Cam Payne, and Landry Shamet.
“[Deflections have] been his strength,” Thibodeau stated. “We like his size at the position, so we’ll just see how it goes. We have good quality depth there. It gives us a little more insurance.”
THIBS ON CAVALIERS’ TRADE
The highest-seeded Cavaliers strengthened their roster by buying Hunter, a flexible two-way ahead who ought to bolster Cleveland’s defensive schemes whereas including exterior taking pictures.
“They were a good team before. They are a good team now,” Thibodeau stated. “I think players change teams, and then you have to understand who they are with their new players and how that changes them. So, we will deal with them when we play them.
“There are a lot of good teams in the league. The important thing for us is to focus on ourselves. [We have to focus on what we] have to do to prepare to play Boston tomorrow.”
THIBS ON TRADE DEADLINE FRENZY
The NBA noticed a flurry of motion earlier than Thursday’s commerce deadline, headlined by the beautiful blockbuster deal sending Luka Dončić from Dallas to Los Angeles.
Thibodeau acknowledged the league’s rising curiosity in commerce drama and the way it fuels engagement with the game.
“It shows you the popularity of the league and social media and everything. It’s great for the league and business,” he stated. “You feel for the players that are involved. It’s not just them — it’s their families. There’s a lot going on.
“I personally preferred when the deadline was over [the All-Star] break.”
