New York Knicks rookie guard R.J. Barrett will not participate in Sunday night's crosstown showdown with the Brooklyn Nets due to illness, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News:
RJ Barrett is out tonight because of an illness. Kevin Knox is starting.
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) November 24, 2019
Nets point guard Kyrie Irving will miss the contest as well. Irving has been dealing with a shoulder impingement that will keep him out through at least Wednesday.
Knicks fans have had very little to celebrate after a 4-12 start, but Barrett has shown flashes that he can be as good as expected. Head coach David Fizdale already trusts Barret as the team's primary ball handler and playmaker. Barrett ranks third on the team in scoring (15.1) while also averaging 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals.
However, the shooting ability is still in question. Although Barrett is shooting a respectable 34.7 percent from beyond the arc on 3.1 attempts per game, he is shooting under 50 percent from the free-throw line.
Barrett was not regarded as a good free-throw shooter as a freshman at Duke University, but even then he still converted on over 66 percent of his attempts. Considering how good he is at getting to the rim and using his body to create contact, Barrett is going to need to figure things out from the charity stripe.
The third overall pick will have his opportunities to grow and learn throughout the season. The Knicks are not going to contend for a playoff spot, and they could look to unload some expensive contracts by the time February rolls around.
Barrett will look to recover for a return trip to his native Canada on Wednesday against the Raptors.
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