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The Knicks are finally looking to get back into shape.
RJ Barrett was upgraded problematically for Wednesday’s game at the Pacers at the Garden after another practice on Tuesday.
The Knicks winger has been out since he injured his right index finger on Dec. 27, which popped and required six stitches. However, coach Tom Thibodeau said after Tuesday’s practice, Barrett is now finished removing his stitches and has thrown him in to rejoin the lineup on Wednesday night.
“Just having a player like him at full power, he’s an important part of the team,” said Thibodeau.
With Barrett back, the Knicks will be in their healthiest state in a month. It’s been since his December 7th when Obi Toppin suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right fibula. Since then, the Knicks have had to endure injuries to Jalen Brunson (hip, 3 games), Barrett (fingers, 6 games), and Quentin Grimes (ankle, 1 game), all the while going 10-6. was defeated.
Barrett’s injury comes two games after he scored a season-high 44 points against the Bulls, turning around after a slow start. He was also spending more time in the second unit.
“RJ, the problem is that we had to change the way we played a little bit, not just as a starter, but because of what he delivered in the second unit,” said Thibodeau. “So we had to fill that void more with what he was doing in his second unit.
On Monday night, when Giannis Antetokounmpo was also on the bench, Thibodeau only used him as a backup to Julius Randle, so Toppin played more on Wednesday night in his second game after returning from injury. I was able to arrange the times.
Of Toppin’s first return to the game, Thibodeau said: “I think the conditioning was pretty good. Keep building on that.”
Due to injuries to Barrett and Branson, Immanuel Quickley has started the final seven games, averaging 20.3 points, 5.9 assists and 5.3 rebounds.
“He’s been playing great basketball all through this stretch,” Thibodeau said. “I like him in both units. I think he complements Jalen and Julius and RJ very well. I also like the group feature in the unit. [Miles McBride] And Quick, thanks to the versatility that all three of these guys have put together. It gives you a lot out of dribbling. They played at a really high level.”
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