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Knicks News: Austin Rivers set to make NYK debut

By Jeffrey Bellone

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 10: Austin Rivers #25 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 10: Austin Rivers #25 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks guard Austin Rivers is on the cusp of returning to the lineup.

New York Knicks fans could get their first glimpse of offseason addition Austin Rivers on New Year’s Eve. The free agent signing has been officially upgraded to probable for Thursday’s game against Toronto; however, he told reporters that he plans on playing.

Rivers, 28, was technically acquired in a sign-and-trade that also netted New York the draft rights to Spanish star Sergio Llull. Based on sign-and-trade rules, the Knicks were able to structure Rivers’ contract to have two non-guaranteed years following this season.

The Knicks have been battling through injuries to start their 2020-21 schedule with both rookies Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley sidelined after the team’s first game. Frank Ntilikina will miss the next game due to a mild right knee sprain. Alec Burks is questionable to play with a sprained left ankle. Dennis Smith Jr. (left quad) and Omari Spellman (right knee) remain out.

Rivers will provide Tom Thibodeau with much-needed help in the guards rotation. While Elfrid Payton has bounced back from a brutal start, the Knicks need a stable presence in the backcourt who can both handle the basketball and provide some perimeter shooting.

While Rivers is probably best suited playing off the ball, he could find himself taking on more playmaking duties until the rest of the Knicks guards are healthy.

Last season for the Rockets, Rivers, whose father played for the Knicks in the nineties, average 8.8 points on 42.1% shooting, including 35.6% from downtown on four attempts per game. The veteran is also known for his pesky defense along the perimeter.

Next. 3 reasons to believe in Knicks' start. dark

New York is off to a surprising 2-2 start after beating Milwaukee and Cleveland in back-to-back games. The Knicks have not won more than four games in a row since 2014-15.

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