Four Knicks guards out vs. Raptors
The Knicks eventually bought Austin Rivers back again in the lineup for his workforce debut, but they nevertheless had 4 hurt guards sidelined in the Knicks’ 100-83 reduction to the Toronto Raptors Thursday evening in Tampa, Fla.
Frank Ntilikina (sprained suitable knee) and Dennis Smith Jr. (still left quad) now had been ruled out for the recreation, but Alec Burks (sprained still left ankle) and rookie Immanuel Quickley (sore still left hip) also had been downgraded from questionable to out shortly in advance of idea-off.
There was a chance that Quickley may possibly return Thursday immediately after lacking 3 game titles due to the fact he suffered a hip pointer in his NBA debut in the season opener at Indiana on Dec. 23.
“He’s acquiring closer every working day, and every working day he’s done fairly a bit more, more make contact with, that kind of matter but he’s not fairly there,” mentor Tom Thibodeau mentioned in advance of the recreation. “We felt let’s wait around another working day or two and see. … When he’s completely ready to go, he’s completely ready to go.”
The injuries still left starters Elfrid Payton and RJ Barrett, minimal-made use of reserves Jared Harper and Theo Pinson and the debuting Rivers (groin) as the Knicks’ backcourt possibilities.
Smith has been acquiring treatment for a contusion in his still left quad and continues to be working day-to-working day. Thibodeau mentioned the guard was “en route” to accompany the workforce for the remainder of the 4-recreation highway journey, which proceeds Saturday in Indiana, “but he’ll nevertheless be out for a whilst.”
Rivers scored seven details to go along with 5 assists in 21 minutes.
The Raptors are currently actively playing their house game titles at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., because of to COVID-19 limits in Canada.
“It is distinctive to be below. Anyone, I consider they’ve made the most effective of a tricky condition. I consider it’s likely a good matter to do,” Thibodeau mentioned. “When you arrive in, the ushers, absolutely everyone, is welcoming you to Toronto, so there is a minimal humor extra to it, which will make it a minimal bit far better.
“I’m absolutely sure for them it’s challenging. It’s a workforce that will get wonderful guidance, as most NBA teams do, in their hometown. So them getting absent from house, I’m absolutely sure they would choose to be in Toronto. Tampa is a gorgeous city and the folks have been superb, so we’re fortuitous that they had been eager to choose them in.”
Forwards Obi Toppin (calf) and Omari Spellman (knee) also remained out for the Knicks.
