Despite pre-game concerns regarding a quadriceps ailment that initially designated him as doubtful, and later questionable, for the New York Knicks’ inaugural game of the season, Karl-Anthony Towns participated for 31 minutes, accumulating 19 points and securing 11 rebounds during Wednesday night’s contest.
Following the Knicks’ triumph at home, with a score of 119-111, Towns addressed the situation surrounding his right quadriceps, disclosing that it involves a Grade 2 strain.
“I was determined not to let the fans down,” Towns conveyed to reporters. “It’s definitely not an easy matter to navigate.”
Prior to Towns being held out of the Knicks’ final pre-season match last Friday as a preventive measure, head coach Mike Brown indicated that, “to my knowledge,” the prominent player would have been on the court had it been a regular-season or playoff scenario.
In addition to Towns’ situation, the Knicks also faced the absence of Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson during their game against the Cavaliers, yet still managed to achieve a reasonably comfortable victory.
Hart sustained a back injury during a pre-season game against the Philadelphia 76ers. He has remained sidelined since the incident and is officially listed as unavailable due to “lumbar spasms.”
“We’re working on resolving his back issue, which presents a delicate scenario,” Brown commented earlier this week. “We have to proceed cautiously and avoid rushing his return. We intend to exercise patience and address it gradually. [Knicks head athletic trainer Casey Smith] excels in his role, and we have confidence in their expertise, so we will adhere to their recommended course of action.”
Robinson is currently being rested due to “left ankle injury management,” as reported by Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
“In essence, it’s about load management, implying that if we considered it essential, he could potentially participate,” Brown clarified regarding Robinson. “However, this decision is made jointly by myself and [Smith], who oversees performance on a daily basis. This approach will persist throughout the entire year.”
These player absences might create a chance for Guerschon Yabusele, who formalized a two-year contract with New York during the summer.
