Few groups in any sport have wanted a midseason timeout greater than the Knicks, whose mounting harm state of affairs resulted in six rotation regulars being sidelined for his or her remaining recreation earlier than the All-Star break.
That shorthanded defeat in Orlando represented the Knicks’ fourth loss in a row and fifth in six video games following the 15-2 run that briefly vaulted them inside a half-game of the No. 2 playoff place within the Japanese Convention.
The current slide has left them within the fourth spot, 4 video games behind the second-place Cavaliers, and a half-game up on the 76ers with the Knicks (33-22) opening their remaining 27 video games of the common season Thursday night time in Philadelphia.
First-half MVP
Simply listening to the chanting crowds on the Backyard, Jalen Brunson is totally worthy of this designation.
The deserving first-time All-Star would possibly legitimately discover his method into the league-wide dialog, too, if the Knicks regain well being and safe no worse than a top-4 spot within the Japanese Convention playoffs.
Brunson solely has been the franchise’s greatest level guard since Walt Frazier, placing up 27.6 factors and 6.5 assists per recreation whereas taking pictures 41.1 % from 3-point vary and offering a defining toughness and work ethic that New York sports activities followers at all times have appreciated.
Least helpful participant
Nobody on the present roster really suits this class, so we’re going with departed veteran Evan Fournier, who appeared in solely three video games totaling 39 minutes earlier than his $18.9 million expiring wage was connected in a trade-deadline deal.
Fournier, who set a franchise file with 241 made 3-pointers in 2021-22, didn’t make waves as he wasted away on the Knicks’ bench the previous two seasons, though he stated after getting moved to Detroit on the deadline that he was “actually excited to lastly be out of New York.”
Finest second
The Dec. 30 commerce of former first-round picks RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Toronto for OG Anunoby and rotation piece Valuable Achiuwa was a daring transfer by crew president Leon Rose.
He broke up a part of the crew’s current core, but it surely resulted in a 14-2 file in January and one other win to start out February, with Anunoby offering the wanted defensive enhance and a whopping plus-minus of plus-252 in 14 video games earlier than departing the lineup and requiring Feb. 8 elbow surgical procedure.
Earlier on the identical day the Anunoby process was introduced, Rose struck once more by buying floor-spacers Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks from the Pistons within the deal that shipped out Fournier and Quentin Grimes on the deadline.
Worst second
The Knicks’ Jan. 27 victory over the Warmth on the Backyard was doubly pricey, marking the final time Anunoby and three-time All-Star ahead Julius Randle have been within the lineup.
Randle suffered a dislocated proper shoulder within the fourth quarter of that recreation, and his team-announced re-evaluation date is arising this week.
The Knicks truly received their first three video games with out the frontcourt duo to increase their profitable streak to a season-best 9 video games, however they dropped 5 of their final six video games earlier than the break as different accidents — together with to Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Isaiah Hartenstein and others — mounted.
Largest shock
What felt like the primary devastating harm for the Knicks this season, beginning middle Mitchell Robinson’s ankle surgical procedure in early December, was lessened by the influence of Hartenstein at each ends of the ground.
The previous backup huge man averaged 8.3 factors, 11.2 rebounds and multiple block and one steal over 24 begins earlier than lacking the ultimate three losses earlier than the break with a recurring Achilles challenge, which the Knicks should hope subsided with the time without work over the break.
Most necessary query within the second half
The Knicks totally regarded like a crew able to problem the highest groups within the East earlier than the accidents derailed them, however they’ll get again on monitor if Hartenstein, DiVincenzo (hamstring) and Bogdanovic (calf) are capable of return as quickly as Thursday’s highway recreation towards the Sixers, who’ve been with out reigning MVP Joel Embiid (knee) since Jan. 30.
In fact, whereas these reinforcements will likely be wanted for short-term sustainability, the eventual returns of Randle and Anunoby — and possibly even Robinson — will likely be key to any extended playoff run.
This storyline bears watching
It is going to be incumbent on head coach Tom Thibodeau to combine the brand new rotation items as soon as nearer to or at full energy. Bogdanovic and Burks will should be meshed right into a second-unit combine with versatile wing Josh Hart, whereas additionally discovering taking part in time for both Achiuwa or reserve level guard Miles McBride, relying on matchups.
Thibodeau has been loath to make use of upkeep days or load administration rules in relation to taking part in time, however maybe the entire accidents ought to dictate some occasional relaxation — even inside video games — for the crew’s banged-up roster.