The New York Knicks found themselves as the second-best team in the Eastern Conference not too long ago, prior to the All-Star break. Now, they are quickly sinking in the Eastern Conference standings as a result of numerous injuries.
Julius Randle and OG Anunoby are both expected to still miss a chunk of time due to shoulder and elbow injuries, respectively. On Tuesday night, the Knicks face a scenario where they could be without All-Star guard Jalen Brunson and starting center Isaiah Hartenstein against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Currently 35-23 on the season, New York will play their second game in as many nights on Tuesday after recently picking up a nail-biting 113-111 victory at home over the Detroit Pistons.
Brunson and Hartenstein, who have both appeared on the injury report as of late, may be feeling the effects of this long battle from Monday night. Could the Knicks be without two more of their starters against the Pelicans?
Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Hartenstein final injury status
Originally having Brunson and Hartenstein listed as questionable to play on Tuesday night, the Knicks have since ruled both starters out against New Orleans, according to SNY Knicks. This means that the Knicks will be without Randle, Anunoby, Brunson, and Hartenstein against a playoff-caliber team from the Western Conference.
Brunson will miss this game due to cervical spasms in his neck, while Hartenstein continues to deal with a nagging left Achilles injury that resulted in him missing the team's final three games before the All-Star break. The Knicks have not played a game without Brunson since Feb. 8, as he sat out against the Dallas Mavericks due to an ankle injury.
While Brunson's status was unknown throughout the day, it always seemed much more likely that Hartenstein would see an extra day of rest.
Against the Pistons, Brunson had himself yet another massive performance, recording 35 points and 12 assists in 40 total minutes of play.
With less than 10 seconds remaining in the game and down one point to the Pistons, Brunson was the one who was able to steal the ball from Ausar Thompson and dish it over to Josh Hart for what turned out to be the game-winning and-one layup. Hartenstein came up with a huge offensive rebound, his eighth total rebound of the game, after Hart missed the free throw to seal the deal for New York.
With Brunson and Hartenstein ruled out, the Knicks will likely turn to Alec Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Jericho Sims as three of their focal points alongside Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart. DiVincenzo will likely help take on some of the primary ball-handler duties as well.
The Knicks are currently two games back of the Milwaukee Bucks, who will play the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, for the three seed in the Eastern Conference. After facing the Pelicans, the Knicks will not play again until they host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
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