Treasured Achiuwa hasn’t performed this season, and that will not change towards Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Achiuwa was dominated out of Friday’s recreation as a result of identical hamstring pressure he suffered within the preseason finale on October 18.
In his absence — which can final not less than eight straight video games — the Knicks have leaned closely on Jericho Sims because the lone frontcourt reserve in an eight-man rotation.
It has been a blended bag.
Though the Knicks have gained Sims’ minutes within the final two video games, he has been restricted offensively with simply six shot makes an attempt in 94 complete minutes this season.
Achiuwa is extra of an influence ahead than a middle and would not create as highly effective screens as Sims, however the 25-year-old Nigerian was the primary frontcourt participant to come back off the bench till his harm and provides a taking pictures aspect that was lacking inside.
In coach Tom Thibodeau’s newest replace earlier this week, Achiuwa was making “regular progress” towards his return however had not been cleared to follow absolutely.
The preliminary harm announcement mentioned Achiuwa could be evaluated in two to 4 weeks, which was two and a half weeks in the past.
It was not made accessible to the media.
Achiuwa averaged 9.4 factors and seven.2 rebounds in 24.6 minutes over 4 preseason video games.
Cam Payne, who can also be coping with a hamstring pressure, is listed as questionable for the Bucks recreation.
He missed two straight video games and was changed within the rotation by rookie Tyler Kolek, who performed properly in Wednesday loss towards the Hawks with six factors and an help in 9 minutes.
Antetokounmpo was listed as questionable with a groin pressure earlier than taking part in in Thursday’s Bucks recreation towards the Jazz.
Josh Hart earned his second technical in as many video games for arguing with the refs and admitted he wanted to chill out.
“Yeah, I imply, on the finish of the day, I should be calmer,” Hart mentioned after Wednesday’s loss. “First, final match [in Houston]they missed a name and [referee] Tyler Ford got here as much as me and mentioned, “I missed that decision.”
“At this time I felt prefer it was the identical. It would not matter how the match was refereed. I am unable to let this dictate my vitality degree or my temper. Particularly a recreation like this. It is a shut match. This level is big. So I would like to regulate that higher and be calmer in these conditions.
Hart was upset in Atlanta that there was no foul as he transformed a layup by means of contact. He led the Knicks in tech final season with seven.
After constructing an identification final season round offensive rebounding, the Knicks had been punished on the glass in Atlanta and even gave up a rebound on a Hawks free throw on a vital possession.
“In all probability our rebound,” Thibodeau lamented as the largest drawback down the stretch.
The Knicks, who led the NBA in offensive rebounds final season with almost 13 per recreation, misplaced that battle to the Hawks, 16-7.
A drop on this space was anticipated after the Knicks basically traded Isaiah Hartenstein for Karl-Anthony Cities at heart.
“I’ve to do a greater job of grabbing rebounds and injecting vitality early on,” Cities mentioned. “We got here out of it gradual. One of many issues I at all times need to do is inject vitality into the sport, and I got here away gradual. I take duty and accountability for it. These guys work extraordinarily laborious. Our guards work extraordinarily laborious each evening with the video games and the best way we play protection. I’ve to do higher.
