Knicks forward Obi Toppin could make his long-awaited return to action on Monday night. He went through a full practice on Sunday and should be available to play against the Bucks, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News tweets.
Toppin, who has not played since Dec. 7 due to a right leg injury, was medically cleared to return earlier this week, but needed more practice reps before the Knicks were comfortable reinserting him into the rotation.
RJ Barrett is listed as doubtful due to a lacerated right index finger, the team tweets.
We have more on the Knicks:
- Mitchell Robinson grabbed 18 rebounds in 35 minutes, including eight on the offensive end, against Toronto on Friday. Robinson has noticed teams are trying to block him out with multiple players on the offensive glass and takes pride in that fact, Bondy writes. “I’m a dangerous man,” Robinson said. “You got to put three guys on me to keep me off the glass. That says a lot. I’m really becoming something.”
- With Toppin ready to reclaim his spot as the backup power forward, Isaiah Hartenstein or Jericho Sims will be dropped from the rotation, Bondy adds in the same story. “Whatever we decide to do, that’s part of sacrificing for the team and putting the team first,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.
- The Knicks have won four straight and Jalen Brunson has emerged as the team’s closer, according to Bondy. Brunson had 10 points in the final six minutes against Toronto. “What I try and do is try and relax and stay poised in those moments,” Brunson said. “Everyone talks about pressure and all that stuff, but just got to trust your mechanics, trust everything you do.”
- Thibodeau has notched 100 coaching victories since being hired by the Knicks, Steve Popper of Newsday notes. “I’m glad to be a part of all 100. Thibs has come in here and created a great culture for all of us,” Julius Randle said. “He’s been amazing. The support, holding us accountable, the belief for us to win every night. I’m happy for him. We’ve got to get him another hundred.”
Question to Knicks fans. Are you still high on Barrett? Seems like he hasn’t really taken much of a step. Almost identical or worse FG, 3pt, TS% and PER in his 4th year.
His offense is terrible. Horrible contract. I think the Knicks should try to talk to the Raptors and send his ass back to Canada.
The price for Siakam could be RJ+4 picks or OG +2 …
I can see D.Book or Lillard asking for change in 2024 if their franchise still average
Knicks & Wizz are a good match for dumping Randle/Fournier to Was if Kuzma is not signing back + that Wizz 1st the Knicks own
RJ + a 1 for Annunouby
I’d have easily included him in the deal to get Donovan Mitchell if that’s what we would have had to do.
But I do like him. I like his makeup. I think he has the drive to keep improving. He’s still very young.
He’s been a serious disappointment. However, he was starting to put it together a little bit prior to this finger laceration injury. In December (13 games), he shot .462/.424/.737 with 21.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 2.8 assists. Dramatic improvement over his first 22 games of the year.
Not sure I’d say he’s a serious disappointment. The kid dropped 20 ppg last year and was around the same this year, even with another 20 ppg scorer added to the team. There’s only so many possessions in a game.
Serious disappointment would be an Okafer, Wiseman or Williams.
Some good answers here. Appreciate the feedback. I was curious from actual Knicks fans who watch him day to day
I mean serious disappointment in light of the extension he’s signed. As a pure draft pick, he’s obviously not, as you mentioned.
Also, that’s 20 ppg (last year) on a bad team with only one other legit scoring option (Randle). Diminishes its significance.
We’re talking about a guy with great makeup and is only 22 years old still. Already a good defender and open court finisher who you also can’t leave open for 3.
Really his shooting just needs to improve and he’s easily a 25 ppg wing who can defend.
To call him a disappointment to me doesn’t make any sense.
I would definitely trade RJ if it were to improve the team. How about RJ for Brandon Ingram?
NOLA won’t go for it. Better scorer than RJ can finish with both hands, better defender. Also third definitive scorer along with McCollum, and big man. This is one of those wish upon a star trades. Here’s a trade Julius Randle Evan fake fur,+ a #1, for Kyle kuzma, I’m tired of watching Randle score 29 points when the first 25 came in the first half. Tired of watching him trying to the hero at the end of games when every body in the building knows it should be in Brunson hands.no defense at crunch time and when he gets burnt during end game he stares at team mates and raises his hands answer me this why do you think teams allow Randle to get the ball at the end of games? They know he,s gonna waste precious time , wait for the triple team, dribble right into it try to make a circus shot and if that doesn’t happen make a 500mph pass to a team mate 2 feet away!God help the team mate if he misses that pass.its not that he makes mistakes it’s part of the game. But night in, night out,HE MAKES THE SAME MISTAKES.
Barrett has very good upside. An Athletic Big guard-forwadrd with size, who can really Slash ti the basket and has 2-way potential, has great tools to be a very important player
No right hand. Very easy to guard unless he overwhelms you.90% of the time finishes on the left side of the bucket. Answer? Just wait for him there
Thibs is 100-94 since signing on as Knicks head coach. Took over a last place team. And has played over .500 ball since. A Knicks trade is coming. So get ready …….
Almost 200 games and only won 6 more than you lost is not all that impressive to me.
Especially in one of the biggest markets in the league.
Thibs always runs his players into the ground before the playoffs…
.500 ball for shortened careers…
Better hope those trades happen before the injuries do…
2019-20 (21-45)
2018-19 (17-65)
Thibs took over in 2020-21. His record 41-31 first yr, and won coach of the yr. Thibs has overachieved with this team. It’s beyond your comprehension. He took over a 12th seed team. And made them the 4th seed in one yr.
RJ still has upside. He’s a 20 pt scorer. Who is considered elite on D. And only 23 yrs old. He’s still getting better. But right now he is a top 2way player. I’d say he’s playing well right now.
Elite on D? Cam Reddish plays better D. The Knicks won’t give the kid any burn. They bring Evan Faux nier off the bench before him. Sure he scores threes every 4 nights or so but he is a DEFENSIVE liability. Splain that.
Yeah OK. Juana …..
JuanaB
Barrett is a keeper. I did think the extension was premature, but only because he’s difficult to price. At 22, he’s already a good 2-way player, with a high basketball IQ, great work ethic and will to be great. Between the ears, he’s a lot like Brunson (also from a basketball family). You win with players like that in the NBA (how good are they in 2k/fantasy-?, I don’t know).
Barrett has two issues for an NBA wing that will likely be with him throughout. He’s neither a natural distance shooter (so he has to work on his shot continuously), nor an elite athlete (so he has to use skill to compensate). At this stage, there’s also periodic youthful frustration where he beats himself up over every missed shot or defensive assignment. At 22, I’ll live with that. He has improved, and I think by year’s end even the shooting stats across the board will show it. He has slow starts shooting-wise, aggravated this year by an illness that limited his gym time. Still, he does need to improve from here to be the player he envisions himself being, and to make his extension look good. But I optimistic he will.
Very very well said. You basically said the same thing as I did, but much better lol
The Knicks aren’t going anywhere or doing anything special…
At best they’ll pull of a trade no one saw coming…
Then Thibs will Thibs and the playoffs will be another easy out for the other team… Due to the injuries that always happen on Thibs teams…