CHARLOTTE, N.C. — OG Anunoby suffered inflammation in his right elbow shortly after Monday’s 113-92 win over the Hornets, which worsened during pregame warmups.
“He had had this before, but it was one of those things that was inflamed,” Tom Sibdoudou said. “If he can’t play, he can’t play.”
The small forward, who has been a revelation defensively since being acquired last month and played a key role in New York’s 13-2 record in January, wore black kinesio tape around his shooting elbow in previous appearances. It was wrapped.
He arrived at Spectrum Center with plans to play on Monday.
“I think it’s every day,” Thibodeau said. “It’s inflammation. So let’s see where it is. [for Tuesday’s game against the Jazz]. He went through shootaround. he was going to play. It was a slow scratch. ”
With Anunoby and Julius Randle (dislocated right shoulder) out in Charlotte, the Knicks star Josh Hart (39 minutes, 8 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists) and Precious Achiuwa (33 minutes, 9 points, 5 rebounds). He was added to the lineup.
Thibodeau essentially cut the rotation to eight players.
Miles McBride (11 points in 15 minutes), Jericho Sims (24 minutes, 7 rebounds) and Quentin Grimes (32 minutes) were dominant off the bench Monday.
Anunoby, who averaged 15.6 points on 52 percent shooting in 14 games with the Knicks, has not missed a game since being acquired from the Raptors.
He has been plagued by injuries multiple times during his career and hasn’t played at least 70 games in a season since his rookie season in 2017-18.
Thibodeau’s approval ratings are sure to rise. This was because he received a huge ovation when introducing the players before the match.
“I didn’t notice, but I think it’s Josh.” [Hart] He pointed that out to me,” Thibodeau joked. “I asked if they were my family.”
Heart was happy.
“The coach is always at fault,” he said. “It was great that he was able to find love.”
Kyle Lowry was traded to the Hornets but was never reported to the team as they seek a redirect trade.
And Charlotte coach Steve Clifford understood that right away.
“Kyle’s an older guy. Honestly, he wants to go to a team that can win. I think those conversations are probably still happening,” Clifford said. “So when they told me about the trade, I didn’t think he wanted to come here. So I’m sure he’s working with his agent and working on all those things. ”
Lowry was acquired from the Heat in a trade for Terry Rozier.
If he is not traded again by the February 8 deadline, he will likely have his contract terminated and become a free agent.
The Knicks are rumored to be a suitor for the point guard, especially if he enters the buyout market.
According to the Knicks, Evan Fournier did not travel to Charlotte with the Knicks for “personal reasons.”
He appeared in just three games this season and was bought out of his expiring contract for $19 million before the trade deadline.
Despite understandable speculation that Fournier did not want to join the team given his position, sources said his absence due to “personal reasons” was justified.
