CHICAGO — Karl-Anthony Cities was injured late in Saturday’s loss to the Bulls and limped to the locker room.
However the heart felt properly sufficient to endure an exhaustive postgame weightlifting session and appeared to keep away from something critical as a result of the exams weren’t deemed essential.
“I’m sweating,” he replied when requested how he felt. “I’m exhausted.”
Cities fell to the courtroom after changing an and-1 with about 96 seconds left. Knicks defeat 139-126.
He was sandwiched between Bulls defenders Coby White and Nikola Vucevic through the recreation, then changed instantly after the free throw gave him a game-high 44 factors.
Cities declined to disclose the supply of the ache — “it’s someplace” — or his stage of optimism for taking part in Monday towards the Magic — “I’m taking every day as someday after one other” — however he defined the play in an entertaining approach.
“I used to be touched,” he stated. “I used to be going to dunk. Noticed [White] I in all probability wasn’t going to present it to myself, after which I switched fingers, tried to do my finest Michael Jordan impersonation.
“It harm. In actuality, all I noticed was an and-1 that was too late to assist us win. Truthfully, I did not even know I had made it.
The damage occurred when the Knicks have been down by 15 and defeat was assured.
Cities missed a recreation earlier within the season with a knee contusion.
This damage seems one thing related.
As Jalen Brunson recalled, his “Welcome to the NBA” second occurred in his first dwelling recreation as a Mavericks rookie towards the Timberwolves.
His opponent, Derrick Rose, “stored killing me” with performs referred to as, coincidentally, by former T-Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau.
Years later, Brunson and Rose have been Knicks teammates and each embraced a mentor-student relationship.
So it was particular for Brunson to be part of Rose’s profession celebration Saturday night time in Chicago.
“I am unable to categorical it in phrases. I’m very grateful to have him as a task mannequin, as a mentor,” Brunson stated. “He’s my man and I really like him to loss of life.”
The Bulls strategically scheduled their Rose Night time for the Knicks recreation given its connection to the franchise.
The Bulls additionally introduced Saturday that they’re retiring his No. 1 jersey subsequent season, which means it’ll cling alongside these of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan and Bob Love.
