Effectively, the New York Knicks were knocked out of last season’s playoffs in the second round because of their lackluster depth. This season, it’s been more of the same story; despite a 37-20 record — good for third in the Eastern Conference — New York has struggled whenever its elite starting five isn’t in the floor, and its center depth took another big blow this morning when Ariel Hukporti was diagnosed with a torn meniscus.
Thankfully for the Knicks, they’re about to get a major bench upgrade. Center Mitchell Robinson ($4,700), who has been out since the first game of last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals with a left ankle injury, has been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis is the only team among either conference’s top two seeds who New York has beaten this year, and it’s a must-win if the Knicks want to prove that they’re championship contenders this season. They currently have +1800 odds — the sixth-shortest — to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
With Robinson injured, New York traded for Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,000) in the offseason, and he’s been excellent, averaging 24.8 points and a career-high 13.5 rebounds per game and playing some of the best defense of his career. But Towns has been dealing with a knee injury that caused him to miss Wednesday’s game, and the Knicks have had the league’s second-worst defense over their last 10 games. Robinson, who has ranked in the top 10 in blocks per game four times in his career, should be able to help with both of those concerns.
Towns is officially questionable for Friday.
Josh Hart ($8,300) is also dealing with a knee issue and is questionable as well. Hart did play 39 minutes on Wednesday, though.
If both Towns and Robinson are unable to go, then Precious Achiuwa ($6,200) would likely get the start at center. Achiuwa is averaging 0.86 FPTS per minute.
If Hart is also out, then OG Anunoby ($5,800) would likely slide up to power forward with Achiuwa at center. Miles McBride ($3,600) would then likely start at shooting guard with Mikal Bridges ($6,500) sliding up to small forward.
