The Knicks have listed Karl-Anthony Towns and Miles McBride as questionable for Wednesday's home game against the Raptors following their absences from Monday's loss to the Magic.
Tom Thibodeau played fill-in starter Jericho Sims alongside Precious Achiuwa at times to counter Orlando's size and offensive rebounding ability.
But the Knicks missed the inside-outside presence of the 7-foot Towns, who led the NBA in rebounding with 14.0 rebounds per game and shot a team-high 44.0 percent from 3-point range.
“Obviously, it's a big difference. His ability to space the court, his ability to make catches, he really opens things up for a lot of guys,” Josh Hart said after the Knicks lost three straight. spoke. “The pace is different without him and the game we are playing is different.
“And we have to recognize that and try to find ways to get easier baskets in transition and get stops and push.”
While Towns missed his third game of the season with a sore right knee, Sims totaled four points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes.
McBride has missed the past four games with a hamstring injury.
When asked Monday night if Towns or McBride were going to come in as the game-clincher, Thibodeau said: It's part of the day-to-day stuff, so the next person gets into it. I think Jericho gave us a really good time. ”
Former Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley did not play against his former team in either of the two games in December, but the Raptors are reporting no injuries.
Since returning on January 1st after missing 22 games due to an elbow injury, he has appeared in three games, averaging 14.3 points and 9.7 assists.
RJ Barrett is scoring a career-high 23.5 points per game with Toronto, including a two-game total of 53 points against the Knicks.
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) remains with the Knicks.
