The New York Knicks were dealt an early blow to their frontcourt depth on Sunday when the team announced that center Precious Achiuwa will miss 2-4 weeks due to a strained left hamstring. The injury leaves the Knicks shorthanded at the center position as they prepare for the start of the regular season.
Achiuwa’s Injury Timeline
According to the Knicks, Achiuwa suffered the hamstring strain at an unspecified point during the preseason. He had appeared in all five of the team’s exhibition games before being sidelined. The 2-4 week recovery timeline means Achiuwa will miss the Knicks’ regular season opener against the Boston Celtics on October 22 and likely several games beyond that.
Impact on Knicks’ Frontcourt
Achiuwa’s absence compounds the Knicks’ frontcourt issues to begin the season. Starting center Mitchell Robinson is already out as he continues to rehab from two ankle surgeries over the past year. Sources close to the situation indicate the Knicks are targeting a January return for Robinson.
With both Robinson and Achiuwa sidelined, the Knicks’ center rotation to start the season will consist of newly acquired veteran Karl-Anthony Towns and third-year big man Jericho Sims. While Towns provides All-Star caliber talent, the depth behind him is now perilously thin.
Losing Precious is a tough blow for us, especially with Mitchell still working his way back. We’ll rely on KAT (Towns) to anchor us and for Jericho to step up in a bigger role until we get back to full strength.
– Knicks Head Coach, via team source
Silver Linings for the Knicks
If there’s a silver lining for the Knicks, it’s that Achiuwa’s injury occurred before the grind of the regular season began. A few weeks of rest now could help prevent the hamstring strain from becoming a nagging issue throughout the season. Additionally, Sims now has an opportunity to prove himself in extended minutes and potentially earn a larger role even after the Knicks’ centers get healthy.
Still, for a Knicks team with playoff aspirations, not having their full complement of players to start the season is less than ideal. They’ll hope that Achiuwa’s recovery proceeds smoothly and that he can return to help stabilize the frontcourt sooner than later.
Looking Ahead for the Knicks
The upcoming stretch without Achiuwa and Robinson will reveal a lot about the Knicks’ roster makeup. Many pundits questioned whether the team had enough frontcourt depth even before these injuries. Now, those concerns will be put to the test.
- Can Karl-Anthony Towns thrive as the sole focal point in the middle?
- Will Jericho Sims prove he’s ready for a larger role?
- Might the Knicks look to add another big man to the roster for insurance?
These are the questions the Knicks face in the wake of Achiuwa’s injury. How they navigate this early season adversity could set the tone for the rest of their campaign. For now, all the Knicks can do is hope for a speedy recovery for their sidelined big man and prepare to move forward with the players they have available.
