New York Knicks Head coach Tom Thibodeau provided an update on the status of the three injured starters who are currently nursing injuries and preparing to return (or not) during the remainder of the regular season and head into the playoffs on Monday March 25, before the match against the Detroit Pistons.
While Julius Randle was the first player to go down and was expected to return at some point between this week and next week, it now seems rather optimistic.
Instead, it appears that Mitchell Robinson — who was initially feared to be out for the entire season right after suffering his injury last December — is now the closest Knick to making his return to the court.
Here’s what Thibs said about those two and OG Anunoby before the Knicks swept the regular season series against the Pistons.
Mitchell Robinson (absent since December 8)
Mitch has been out since Dec. 8 with a stress fracture in his ankle. The injury required surgery and it was initially thought he would have been able to finish the season, although he began rehabbing that ankle and was eventually given a timetable to make his return before the playoffs.
Thibodeau shared a very promising update on Robinson on Monday – the day Mitch missed his 50th consecutive game – revealing that the big man is “moving pretty well.”
According to Thibs, Robinson “is allowed to make contact and all that. He’s training so he just needs a little more time. But overall he is doing very well.
Thibodeau confirmed, “Assuming your assumption is correct, yes,” when asked if Robinson would return before Randle and Anunoby.
Asked if that meant Robinson would return before Randle and OG, Thibodeau said: “Assuming your assumption is correct, yes. »
OG Anunoby (Released January 28)
OG Anunoby has been out since January 28. He was scheduled to face the Charlotte Hornets that day, but after doing pregame warmups, he decided not to play that game and barely played after that.
Anunoby went under the knife to remove some loose bone fragments from his right elbow, but he already played a few weeks last week. OG recorded 29, 36 and 33 minutes in three games played between March 12 and 16 against the SixersBlazers and Kings, but he was ruled out for the final four games following those three.
“Basically, he has to let (the elbow) calm down,” Thibodeau said, “but he’s been through some things [at Monday morning’s shootaround].”
Despite participating in the shootaround, Anunoby’s return timetable remains uncertain as the team waits for his elbow to “settle in,” according to Thibs.
Julius Randle (Out since January 27)
Randle injured his shoulder on Jan. 27 against the Miami Heat when he collided with rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. and fell hard to the ground, landing on that part of his body.
Thibodeau provided an update on Randle’s condition, noting his progress in rehabilitation, but appearing unconvinced about Randle’s eventual return to the field at any point, including the final stretch of the regular season and playoffs. playoffs.
“He’s feeling better, so that’s a good sign,” Thibodeau said. “He sped it up a little bit. We’ll see where this leads.
Thibodeau added that Randle is still in the “controlled contact” phase of his recovery, and he warned anyone concerned about Randle’s return that the Knicks would take a “cautious approach” to his return.
When asked if there was a scenario in which Randle didn’t return at all this season, Thibodeau said the Knicks would do their best for the player and the team.
“It goes both ways,” Thibs said. “That’s what helps the team, and you don’t want to put any player in danger either. So it’s like, “Okay, let’s take it day by day.” » You know I don’t make assumptions. So we are hopeful.
No good.
