The Knicks went 12-2 in their first 14 games with OG Anunoby and won four of their next five after he went down with an elbow injury. However, New York’s sheer amount of injuries has led to a 2-7 record since that point and the Knicks are in danger of sliding down the standings. At the moment, Anunoby, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson are dealing with long-term injuries while Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein are among those who have also missed time as of late.
The New York Post’s Mike Vaccaro argues that while it isn’t time to panic yet, it’s getting close. After looking like a serious contender for the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed at the beginning of February, the Knicks are in danger of falling all the way to play-in territory. While they could be at their healthiest when the playoffs begin, Vaccaro writes it’s possible they peaked in January.
However, Knicks players and coaches aren’t panicking. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Josh Hart said he and his teammates are making the most of what they have available to them and will be fine once key players start getting healthier.
“We’re playing our asses off,” Hart said. “It’s not like we’re just sitting there and crying about injuries and laying down. Nah, we’re grinding. We’re pushing ourselves. And once we get guys back, we’re good.”
Coach Tom Thibodeau and players are continuing to take everything one game at a time and contextualize the situation they’re in.
“I didn’t see anybody talking about the way we were playing before [this losing streak],” Hart said. “Nine in a row, 10 in a row, 15 out of 16. Take four starters, six rotation guys out of any lineup in the league and they’re going to struggle.”
We have more from the Knicks:
- The Knicks entered Saturday 35-25, good for fourth in the East’s standings. They’re 4.5 games behind the Bucks and just a half-game ahead of the fifth-seeded Sixers. Peter Botte of the New York Post further examines where the Knicks are at in the standings, observing that they’re just 1.5 games ahead of the Pacers, who are currently the No. 8 seed. Unfortunately for the Knicks, it may get more difficult before it gets easier. The Magic (sixth), Heat (seventh) and Pacers are all surging as of late, and the Florida teams have the two easiest remaining strength of schedules. All three clubs are also relatively healthy. The only East competitor in a similar situation to New York as of now is the Sixers, who are sliding without superstar Joel Embiid.
- While injuries are obviously the biggest culprit for New York’s recent skid, it hasn’t helped that trade deadline acquisitions Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks aren’t yet acclimated, according to Botte. Bogdanovic is averaging 13.3 points in his first seven games in New York after averaging 21.1 points in his two seasons in Detroit. Burks is down to 8.5 PPG in New York from 12.7 in Detroit. Their struggles were on full display in Thursday’s loss to Golden State, when the pair combined for nine points while making just two of their combined 13 shot attempts.
- Hartenstein is one of the New York players dealing with injury issues, missing a handful of games due to an Achilles injury. Per SNY’s Ian Begley (Twitter link), Hartenstein said he came back early from his injury to try and help New York win. “I probably could have sat out a couple more weeks,” Hartenstein said, though he added that he’s happy with the balance he and the team struck to get him back into full form by the time playoffs arrive.
4th seed Knicks are not a title contender, but 10th seed Lakers are.
This is not important at all: Knicks are in danger of sliding down the standings.
What if Lakers are in danger of sliding down the standings?
Lakers 24 FTA, Wizards 12 FTA in overtime, no less. No fear. The Lakers aren’t sliding anywhere. The league and officials will see to it.
Imagine using PPG as a measurement of a player’s struggles and expecting to be taken seriously as a writer
Agreed, altho the ultimate point is still valid, bojans FG/3pt % are down 5 and 2 respectively, down 8 and 8 % for burks, albeit v small sample size. I think those stats would’ve been more convincing data points
Despite the hype, it’s actually rare that deadline acquisitions produce as expected, and more rare as more is expected. Yeah they need to acclimate; but it’s hard two thirds through the year, particularly today with few team practices in the season’s stretch.
Burks is more typical of the type of deadline acquistion that tends to work. Plays a discrete role, and has familiarity with the team/coach. Bogdanovic is more typical of the type that rarely does. Scorer/ career starter, having to adjust to a different role and minutes, all while adjusting to his new teammates. Too bad this isn’t 2k, where we could just plug in his skill set to the mix. At least the worst of it should be over.
Fair points , and the acclimation for bojan in particular is exacerbated by fluctuation in role tied to team injuries. If he comes in firmly entrenched consistently as a 6/7th man I imagine the transition is a bit easier.
The one thing Bojan has been consistent with is his horrendous defense. Grimes is better than him.
Once players start coming back Thibs will have new levels of confidence in his bench. This may have been the thing needed in order for Thibs to expand his rotation and still win, while preserving his stars.