The New York Knicks are holding their own in the Eastern Conference despite missing a few key players. The Knicks beat the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday to improve their record to 14-7, allowing them to overtake the Miami Heat for third place.
New York is now set to face the Utah Jazz on Friday. The question is whether these key players will finally make their return to the hardwood to help their team.
Updates on OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, and More
Four Knicks players appeared on the injury list heading into Friday’s game against the Jazz. Three of them are key figures on the roster: OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Landry Shamet.
Anunoby is the most prominent player among the bunch. Before getting hurt on Nov. 14 against the Heat, he was averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.9 steals.
His balanced game between offense and defense is still a much-needed presence for the team, despite the Knicks’ steady performance this season.
Anunoby suffered a left hamstring strain after five minutes of play on Nov. 14. Since then, he hasn’t played a game. However, after missing nine consecutive games, he may make a comeback soon.
According to the 4:30 a.m. injury report, Anunoby is listed as questionable, meaning he may be available to return.
Meanwhile, Robinson, who had been listed as day-to-day, is also poised to return as he is out of the injury report. He is primarily under load management because of several surgeries he had over the summer.
As for Shamet, he remains out of action for another month. Based on initial reports, he will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Knicks fans will likely see him return by late December or early January.
Another Knicks player on the injury list is Kevin McCullar Jr., who recently signed a two-way contract with New York. He is listed as questionable, along with other G League players Trey Jemison III, Tosan Evbuomwan, and Pacome Dadiet.
So far, the Knicks have maintained a steady rhythm in the East, sitting third in the standings with a 14-7 record. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns have done everything in their power to establish themselves as a dominant duo in the league today.
Regaining their key contributors is critical, as following the Jazz game, the Knicks will host the Orlando Magic before competing in an NBA Cup matchup against the Toronto Raptors and then facing their Eastern Conference finals rivals from last season, the Indiana Pacers, in a pair of road contests. They will then host the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat, two teams firmly in the playoff hunt.
