Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina’s injury statuses, updated

By Rob Wolkenbrod

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 14: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 14, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 14: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 14, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

After two of the New York Knicks youngsters, Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina, suffered injuries Sunday, head coach David Fizdale updated their statuses.

The New York Knicks were dealt two blows in their loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday, with an ankle injury for Kevin Knox and a reaggravated groin injury for Frank Ntilikina. With just eight games left in the regular season, it put their respective statuses in doubt.

On Tuesday, head coach David Fizdale updated where Knox and Ntilikina stand.

Per Marc Berman of The New York Post, the Frenchman remains in question and will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

The news was positive for Knox, who stayed active in practice. Per The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, Fizdale is “hopeful” the 2018 first-round pick can play in Thursday’s game against the Toronto Raptors.

Ntilikina had missed the previous two months with that same groin injury, so the latest ailment put another damper on his disappointing sophomore campaign. Muddied with injuries, inconsistent play and trade speculation, everything went against the 20-year-old in 2018-19.

Where this leaves Ntilikina’s Knicks future remains unknown. The front office shopped him at the deadline but did not complete anything.

Knox suffered an ankle sprain earlier this season but was clean otherwise. His play improved over the previous five games, with 17.6 points and 4.6 rebounds on 45.7 percent shooting and 44.8 percent on three-pointers, so the injury’s timing was unfortunate for his development.

Risking Knox’s health for meaningless games could prove consequential, as the season ends on April 10. It’s not far away, and letting him rest and return to training down the road makes sense.

If the injury is only minor and heals imminently, then the risk, of course, decreases for the 19-year-old’s return, of which he can try to garner momentum before the offseason.

Both situations caused more headaches in this turbulent season for New York, which already featured Kristaps Porzingis‘ departure, free agency rumors and an 18-game losing streak. Injuries have accompanied it along the way, including to Allonzo Trier, Dennis Smith Jr. and Noah Vonleh over the past few weeks, as well.

Next. 2019 NBA Mock Draft, Sweet 16 edition. dark

With 48 hours before the Knicks face Toronto, let’s see which injured players, if any of them, suit up for this contest. Little is in balance, so Fizdale might have to make use of whoever is healthy on Thursday night.

Home/Knicks News