The New York Knicks stumbled into the 2024 All-Star break, eagerly anticipating the respite it offered. A string of challenging injuries deflated their momentum following a remarkably successful January.
It’s commonplace for teams to grapple with multiple issues at this juncture of the season, and the Knicks are no exception. However, their primary hurdle at present is evidently their health, or rather, the lack thereof.
Currently sitting at a 33-22 record, placing them fourth in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks managed to overcome a sluggish start through a trade with the Toronto Raptors, acquiring OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa. Their resurgence in January, marked by 14 wins in 16 games, was impressive; nevertheless, a spate of injuries left them notably vulnerable.
A subsequent trade with the Detroit Pistons brought Bojan Bogdanogvic and Alec Burks to the Knicks, theoretically shoring up their rotation. However, the team has yet to showcase its full potential with a healthy lineup.
The pressing question now is how the Knicks can address their glaring issue of injuries and when tangible progress in this regard can be expected.
Knicks’ injuries
The New York Knicks’ season initially held promise of a potential Cinderella story. However, the momentum shifted dramatically on January 27 in Miami when Julius Randle suffered a dislocated non-shooting shoulder, sidelining the All-Star power forward and dealing a significant blow to the team.
Adding to their woes, OG Anunoby also faced setbacks, undergoing a procedure to address a loose body in his shooting elbow. Like Randle, January 27 marked his last appearance in the Knicks’ rotation. Since then, New York has struggled, managing just a 4-5 record without the duo in the starting lineup.
But the injury bug didn’t stop there. Isaiah Hartenstein missed the final three games before the All-Star break due to an Achilles strain, while Bojan Bogdanovic sat out the last game before the break with calf soreness. Donte DiVincenzo was also hampered by hamstring soreness, further compounding the team’s challenges. Additionally, Mitchell Robinson remains sidelined following ankle surgery in December.
The impact of these injuries is evident in the Knicks’ recent performance, as they suffered four consecutive losses before the All-Star break, all against teams with inferior records (Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets).
Health impacts both sides of the floor
In January, the New York Knicks showcased the league’s top defense, boasting an impressive 105.9 defensive rating over 16 games. Their defensive prowess was highlighted by standout performances, notably holding the Portland Trail Blazers to a mere 84 points on January 9.
However, the Knicks’ defensive ranking took a significant dip in February, plummeting to 20th in the NBA over the first seven games of the month. This decline can be attributed partially to the introduction of new players and a lack of cohesion within the team. Moreover, injuries played a substantial role, depriving the team of key personnel.
Notably, injuries also had an adverse impact on the Knicks’ offense. Their offensive rating slipped to 18th in the league through the initial seven games of February, a stark contrast to their sixth-place ranking in January.
The decline in both defensive and offensive performance underscores the paramount importance of addressing the team’s health concerns as their primary focus moving forward.
Reinforcements on the way
Fortunately, relief is on the horizon for the New York Knicks, with the imminent return of Hartenstein, Bogdanovic, and DiVincenzo following the All-Star break. Hartenstein’s comeback is particularly promising, as his presence will address a significant void in the team’s frontcourt depth, especially considering New York’s reliance on smaller lineups in his absence.
DiVincenzo’s return is expected to provide a significant boost to the Knicks’ offense, given his recent impressive scoring performances. His scoring prowess will be invaluable to a team struggling with offensive consistency.
While Bogdanovic’s scoring ability is unquestionable, he’ll need time to acclimate to the team’s system and develop chemistry with the starters before reaching his full potential.
Unfortunately, Anunoby and Randle will remain sidelined for a while longer due to their respective injuries. However, there are positive signs regarding Randle’s progress in rehabilitation, indicating a potential return in the near future.
Robinson’s return, though delayed, is anticipated later in the season, offering further reinforcement to the team. However, given the Knicks’ strong performance in January without him, his absence is manageable for the time being.
Health remains paramount for the Knicks’ success, especially considering the tight race in the Eastern Conference standings. With teams vying for playoff seeding, every game counts, and the Knicks must capitalize on the return of key players to maintain their position.
The final stretch of the season is shaping up to be highly competitive, with several teams within striking distance of the Knicks. New York must aim to stay afloat until the return of Anunoby and Randle, as their absence could jeopardize the team’s chances of securing a top-four seed in the playoffs.
Overall, the Knicks’ fortunes in the remainder of the season hinge on the timely return of their injured players and their ability to maintain their competitive edge in a fiercely contested Eastern Conference.
