Miles McBride missed a second straight recreation because the Knicks waited for his infected knee to “relax,” in line with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
McBride, the sixth man, hyperextended his left knee within the second recreation of the season final month and performed the next 9 with a black wrap round it.
Thibodeau, usually excessively unspecific about accidents, stated after the Knicks’ 134-106 victory over the Wizards on Monday that he didn’t know if the irritation is expounded to the October hyperextension.
“I’m not fairly positive. We simply need to let it relax,” the coach stated. “After which as soon as he’s able to go, we simply don’t need him to linger. Getting a little bit higher. Simply be affected person.”
Cam Payne was the one guard off the bench and scored 17 factors whereas going 5-for-6 from three, whereas rookie Pacome Dadiet scored 9 factors on three 3s.
Payne knocked down 5 3-pointers within the two victories over the Nets.
“One other spark plug,” Thibodeau stated. “I just like the vitality he brings off the bench, the tempo of the sport. And clearly it picks up and we’re nonetheless looking for a rhythm with that group. However he likes to play quick and that vitality is invaluable. He can deal with the ball, he can play off the ball as properly.”
Thibodeau stated he “believes” Treasured Achiuwa, who nonetheless hasn’t performed this season due to a strained hamstring, will accompany the workforce on the five-game, 10-day highway journey that begins Wednesday in Phoenix.
Achiuwa was additionally on the workforce’s earlier lengthy highway journey spanning Halloween however didn’t play.
A supply expressed optimism that Achiuwa can be cleared to at the least follow throughout the journey, which incorporates video games at Utah, Denver, Dallas and Charlotte.
With out Achiuwa, Thibodeau has constantly used Jericho Sims, who had seven factors and 7 rebounds in 19 minutes Monday, because the backup heart whereas pumping up his defensive prowess.
“Once you have a look at Jericho, he’s No. 1 amongst facilities in defensive field-goal share within the restricted [area],” Thibodeau stated. “So I do know what he offers there.”
Karl-Anthony Cities was not listed on the damage report after taking a tough spill within the third quarter of Sunday’s win over the Nets and scored 24 factors and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes. … The Wizards had been lacking 20-year-old Bilal Coulibaly, who sustained a head damage after getting elbowed within the face throughout Sunday’s loss to the Pistons.