:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68600712/1293795041.0.jpg)
The Knicks’ injury report has been something of a roller coaster these days, with new players coming down with surprise ailments on seemingly a daily basis. Let’s hope Wednesday’s report is the exception.
Knicks say Alex Burks (sprained left ankle), Immanuel Quickley (sore left hip) and Austin Rivers (sore groin) have been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow’s game. Frank Ntilikina (sprained right knee), Dennis Smith Jr (left quad) are out.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 30, 2020
OK, the first part looks good: Austin Rivers, Immanuel Quickley and Alex Burks are healing up and might be ready for Thursday’s game against the Raptors. Wait...what’s that next part?
DAMMIT!
Frank Ntilikina, the team’s backup point guard for the past two games, will miss time with a knee sprain. When the hell did that happen?
Tom Thibodeau says Frank Ntilikina hurt his knee in the 1st quarter last night but played through it. He suggested that Ntilikina would been a couple days of treatment for the injury. Ntilikina is officially considered day to day and injury isn’t considered serious.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 30, 2020
This sucks. It seems like every time Frank is given a chance to earn a rotation spot, he gets struck down by an injury. At least it isn’t the groin this time.
So who will take his spot in the rotation? It depends on how Quickley’s hip responds to Wednesday’s practice.
Tom Thibodeau said Immanuel Quickley took some contact in practice today and Knicks want to see how he responds to that tomorrow before making a decision about Thursday’s game. He’s questionable, which means there is a 50/50 chance he’ll play vs TOR.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 30, 2020
Quickley, Rivers and Burks are all 50/50 to play tomorrow, so nobody knows who — if anyone — will be available against the Raptors. We could be in for some Jared Harper and Theo Pinson minutes.