Isaiah Hartenstein is out of the Knicks lineup again due to the same lingering injury that caused him to miss two games in January.
Hartenstein, the Knicks’ replacement starter at center along with Mitchell Robinson, who is still recovering from ankle surgery in December, was absent Saturday after aggravating a left Achilles tendon injury that recurred in the second quarter of Thursday’s loss to the Mavericks. He did not appear in the game against the Pacers.
Described by coach Tom Thibodeau as “hand-to-mouth,” Hartenstein effectively filled in for Robinson’s two-month absence, averaging 8.3 points and 11.2 rebounds in 24 games as a starter.
Jalen Brunson was also scheduled to make a decision during the game Saturday night after missing Thursday’s game against the Mavericks shorthanded with a sprained ankle.
Jericho Sims also missed two games due to illness and was doubtful for Saturday’s game, but Precious Achiuwa and Taj Gibson, who officially signed a second 10-day contract on Saturday, will also be in the center position. I was able to get the job.
“I think that’s important just because he understands what we’re trying to do,” Thibodeau said of the 38-year-old Gibson. “I think that helps your team. He can step in right away, understands defensive schemes, understands the screening elements. So, give us what you have. Give. And I think he’s a great player for our young players.
“That’s what I like about Alec and Bojan (Bogdanovic). I think it’s great veteran leadership. There are some players at the top. Taj will be angry, but…”
New signing Nick Bogdanovic expects a group of Croatian fans to flock to the Garden after joining from the Pistons.
“That means a lot. I played for the Nets. [from 2014-17]But all my friends are New Yorkers and they’re all Knicks fans,” Bogdanovic said. “So it’s going to be even better for them to see me in a Knick jersey.
“We have a large Croatian community here in New York, so we’re going to have a lot of people from their home country supporting the Knicks.”
