CHICAGO — Karl-Anthony Cities was damage towards the tip of Saturday’s loss to the Bulls and limped to the locker room.
However the middle felt ok to undergo an exhaustive postgame weightlifting session and appeared to keep away from something severe as checks weren’t deemed obligatory.
“I’m sweating,” he mentioned when requested how he’s feeling. “I’m exhausted.”
Cities fell to the court docket after changing an and-1 with about 96 seconds remaining within the Knicks’ 139-126 loss.
He was sandwiched between Bulls defenders Coby White and Nikola Vucevic on the play, then subbed out instantly after the free throw gave him a game-high 44 factors.
Cities declined to disclose the supply of the ache — “it’s somewhere” — or his stage of optimism for taking part in Monday in opposition to the Magic — “I take every day as day-by-day regardless” — however he defined the play in entertaining element.
“I got hit,” he mentioned. “I used to be going to go for a dunk. Noticed [White] was in all probability not going to present it to me, after which I switched fingers, tried to do my greatest Michael Jordan impression.
“It hurt. Really all I saw was an and-1 that was too late to help us win. Honest to God, I didn’t even know I made it.”
The harm occurred with the Knicks trailing by 15 and defeat assured.
Cities missed a recreation earlier within the season with a knee contusion.
This harm seems to be like one thing related.
As Jalen Brunson recalled, his “Welcome to the NBA” second occurred in his first residence recreation as a Mavericks rookie in opposition to the Timberwolves.
His opponent, Derrick Rose, “continued to kill me” with performs being referred to as by, coincidentally, former T-Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau.
Years later, Brunson and Rose had been teammates on the Knicks and each embraced a mentor-student relationship.
So it was particular for Brunson to be part of Saturday night time’s celebration of Rose’s profession in Chicago.
“I can’t put it into words. I’m so thankful to have him as a role model, as a mentor,” Brunson mentioned. “That’s my man and I love him to death.”
The Bulls strategically scheduled their Rose night time for the Knicks matchup given his connection to the franchise.
The Bulls additionally introduced Saturday they’re retiring his No. 1 jersey subsequent season, which means it’ll hold alongside Michael Jordan’s, Scottie Pippen’s, Jerry Sloan’s and Bob Love’s.
