Miles McBride missed a second straight sport because the Knicks waited for his infected knee to “calm down,” based on Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
McBride, the sixth man, hyperextended his left knee within the second sport 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 said to the October hyperextension.
“I’m not quite sure. We just want to let it calm down,” the coach stated. “And then once he’s ready to go, we just don’t want him to linger. Getting a little better. Just be patient.”
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.
“Another spark plug,” Thibodeau stated. “I like the energy he brings off the bench, the pace of the game. And obviously it picks up and we’re still trying to find a rhythm with that group. But he likes to play fast and that energy is invaluable. He can handle the ball, he can play off the ball as well.”
Thibodeau stated he “believes” Valuable Achiuwa, who nonetheless hasn’t performed this season due to a strained hamstring, will accompany the staff on the five-game, 10-day street journey that begins Wednesday in Phoenix.
Achiuwa was additionally on the staff’s earlier lengthy street journey spanning Halloween however didn’t play.
A supply expressed optimism that Achiuwa will probably be cleared to not less than follow in the course of 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 middle whereas pumping up his defensive prowess.
“When you look at Jericho, he’s No. 1 among centers in defensive field-goal percentage in the restricted [area],” Thibodeau stated. “So I know what he provides there.”
Karl-Anthony Cities was not listed on the harm 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 harm after getting elbowed within the face throughout Sunday’s loss to the Pistons.
