The New York Knicks have needed to struggle previous accidents most of this season. Now they’re getting wholesome as their rivals are getting banged up.
New York’s first-round opponent from final season, the Cleveland Cavaliers, are going to be with out All-Star Donovan Mitchell for a minimum of every week as he offers with a damaged nostril. On the similar time, the Knicks are about to get a Mitchell of their very own again on the ground.
Mitchell Robinson has been out since early December after having surgical procedure on his fractured ankle, however the massive man returned to his first full-contact follow of 2024 on Wednesday. That is a welcome sight for the Knicks, who’ve been lacking three starters with accidents. Julius Randle is engaged on the court docket however hasn’t been cleared for contact, whereas OG Anunoby is out with elbow ache, although an MRI got here again detrimental.
Every week in the past, the Knicks have been in peril of falling into the play-in event, however they’re in attain of the third-place Cavs after profitable three straight highway video games on the West Coast. That is essential within the Western Convention, as ending third would imply avoiding the Boston Celtics within the second spherical.
With Mitchell within the lineup, the Cavs have gone 33-16, a .673 profitable proportion that may path solely Boston within the East. With out him, they seem to be a pedestrian 10-9.
There is not any phrase but how a lot time Mitchell’s nostril will preserve him out. Within the meantime, the Knicks can scent the No. 3 seed.
