There hasn’t been a team hit as hard by injuries in the NBA over the last few weeks as the New York Knicks. The Knicks came out in 2024 like gangbusters, running roughshod through their opponents with blowout victory after blowout victory.
However, injuries have derailed the team’s performance in recent weeks. OG Anunoby and Julius Randle have both been sidelined since January 27th because of elbow surgery and a separated shoulder. They joined starting center Mitchell Robinson on the sidelines with extended injuries, as he has been sidelined since early December after undergoing ankle surgery.
Making matters worse has been Robinson’s backup, Isaiah Hartenstein, and NBA All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson also dealing with nagging injuries. It has led to the Knicks going 4-9 since their nine-game winning streak.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Tom Thibodeau, Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, New York Knicks Updates
But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the Knicks and it is getting closer. Head coach Tom Thibodeau offered updates on the injured players Thursday morning and all of them are of the positive variety.
Brunson, who suffered what looked like a brutal knee injury on Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, came away with a knee bruise. His status for Friday against the Orlando Magic is not yet known, but Thibodeau said he went through most of practice on Thursday.
Another positive development from practice is the increased activity of Anunoby. He was cleared to begin doing shooting and dribbling work last week and has ramped things up again this week. Anunoby has begun going through contact drills and is taking part in five-on-five.
It certainly sounds like he is getting close to a return, as playing live scrimmages is usually one of the last steps in a rehab process. He has been upgraded to day-to-day, but Thibodeau did add that Anunoby has not been cleared to fully play yet.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Tom Thibodeau, Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, New York Knicks Updates
Thibodeau turned into a reporter at one point during his meeting with the media as well. He shared a message from Robinson, who wanted people to know that he was looking good. All of these positive updates are exactly what the Knicks and their fans needed after a tough stretch.
The final three games of their homestand are of the utmost importance. After playing the Magic on Friday, they will host the Philadelphia 76ers for back-to-back games on Sunday and Tuesday. Orlando is currently a half-game ahead of New York for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia is right behind them in the standings. Currently in seventh place, which is the top seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament, the 76ers are one game behind the Knicks.
These next three games will go a long way in determining if New York can obtain homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs. But, avoiding the NBA Play-In Tournament should be their No. 1 goal for the remainder of the season, with moving up the standings being the icing on the cake.
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