Obi Toppin fractured a bone in his proper leg and the Knicks should get inventive to fill his gap.
The 2020 lottery decide sustained the damage within the second quarter of Wednesday’s victory over the Hawks, when he fought for a rebound and appeared to collide with teammate Isaiah Hartenstein.
Toppin was clearly bothered however performed one other 4 minutes till he left the sport and was dominated out for the rest of the night time. Tests on Thursday uncovered a “non-displaced fracture in his right fibula head,” in line with the Knicks. The workforce stated Toppin shall be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks.
Other than Toppin, the Knicks don’t have a real energy ahead behind Julius Randle. Presented with the potential of Toppin’s prolonged absence, Thibodeau floated 6-6 wing RJ Barrett as the answer.
“I like the idea of RJ being there some,” Thibodeau stated. “I think he showed us last year how effective he can be at the four, so I think that can be a possibility.”
Other potentialities embrace a frontcourt of Hartenstein and Jericho Sims, or the return of Cam Reddish into the rotation.
Toppin, the reigning Slam Dunk Champion, averaged simply 7.7 factors and three.8 rebounds in 17 minutes per sport this season. He began sturdy however hit a hunch that has prolonged for 3 weeks.
The Brooklyn native is eligible for an extension earlier than subsequent season.
Despite Toppin’s excessive draft standing, the Knicks by no means supplied a high-minutes position as a result of Randle surged into an All-Star in 2021.
Thibodeau has resisted enjoying Randle and Toppin collectively due to defensive limitations.
The Knicks (12-13), winners of two straight, play in Charlotte on Friday. An optimistic three-week restoration means Toppin misses 11 video games.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com