The brand new yr has began off in a foul method and the Knicks haven’t performed a recreation but in 2022. Kemba Walker’s left knee continues to be barking and COVID-19 nonetheless is raging.
And now, heart Mitchell Robinson is in COVID-19 protocols, the staff introduced Saturday. That makes three of their facilities within the protocols, which means the Knicks will seemingly must signal a giant man as a substitute participant.
The Knicks additionally introduced, as anticipated, that Walker will miss Sunday’s recreation at Toronto resulting from his sore left knee, elevating extra alarm bells.
Walker was shut down after doing one thing to his knee throughout pregame warmups in Oklahoma Metropolis on New Yr’s Eve. Afterward, coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned Walker must bear testing, presumably an MRI examination. Thibodeau was uncertain if the issue was critical.
Walker was coming off taking part in a back-to-back at Minnesota and Detroit through which he logged 53 minutes. (He didn’t play any back-to-backs final season with the Celtics, on the recommendation of Boston’s medical employees.)
Since his resurrection in Boston on Dec. 18, Walker had averaged 35.2 minutes in six video games. However the Knicks are deep at guard. They now not have that benefit at heart.
With Nerlens Noel and Jericho Sims additionally within the protocols, the Knicks should begin Taj Gibson at heart. Obi Toppin additionally will get his second begin at energy ahead for COVID-stricken Julius Randle.
The Knicks don’t have a middle on their roster as a backup and should must go small earlier than they get anybody eligible for Sunday’s recreation resulting from Canada’s tight testing restrictions for entry into the nation.
The Knicks have had 11 gamers enter COVID-19 protocols since their return from Toronto on Dec. 10.
At the moment, the COVID record contains Randle, Noel, Sims, Wayne Selden and Robinson. The Knicks even have two assistants out with COVID: Johnnie Bryant and Kenny Payne.
The Raptors now not have any gamers in COVID protocols. The sport Sunday will likely be performed earlier than no followers after Toronto possession introduced it would stage video games earlier than empty arenas. The Canadian authorities had capped capability at 1,000, however administration took it a step additional.
The Knicks entered 2022 at 17-19 — tied for ninth place within the Japanese Convention with Boston. It’s a disappointing begin to the season, contemplating they had been 41-31 final season, but it surely’s hardly catastrophic.
“I believe don’t sleep on us,’’ RJ Barrett mentioned after the New Yr’s Eve loss to the Thunder. “I believe we’re all working our method again. We have now a number of guys out and in. W obtained to maintain pushing. We’re not going to surrender. Don’t sleep on us.’’
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