The New York Knicks wrapped up their final preseason practice in a familiar pattern: top players were sidelined, and the team saw a quick touch‑down free‑throw line only as a preview, not the full‑scale game they hoped for.
Three future starters—center Mitchell Robinson, forward‑center Karl‑Anthony Towns, and guard‑forward OG Anunoby—did not play. Josh Hart, a key defense anchor, was also out. Coach Mike Brown said Robinson was resting for load management, while Towns (quad), Anunoby (ankle), and Hart (back) all carried minor injuries and were “day to day.” Brown added that the team was “cautious” with the four players.
“It’s not a good look, but the kids still gotta win games,” Brown told reporters. “We’re learning a new system and having to play as a unit without a full roster is tough. But they’re stepping up fast, and we’re already ahead of where I expected us to be.” He emphasized early in the season that the Knicks have to treat the year as a marathon, not a sprint.
With the preseason over, the Knicks will further trim their squad. The roster must drop from 26 to 14 by the end of Saturday’s cut‑down deadline. Coach Brown and team president Leon Rose are still weighing options, but the last spot will likely be decided between Landry Shamet and Garrison Mathews.
The hire of Michael Miller continued to be a whirlwind for the Knicks, and he’s already looking at the injury list as a major variable. This leaves the team with fewer than a full roster to open the regular season. The question remains: does a lean lineup hurt the Knicks as they get into real‑game play?
Head coach Mike Brown didn’t give a definitive answer for who will fill the final spot, but he said that the door is always open for a player ready to seize an opportunity. He added that the coaching staff, the front office, and the new management must remain flexible: “Our minds change as we see the players, and we will get through tonight, set a few more games in training, then make a well‑timed decision.”
Fans packed the Garden with high hopes as the Knicks cracked the final practice. Whether the team can ride the early bump in injuries and still stay competitive remains to be seen. But the early leadership statements suggest that the Knicks are determined to adapt while building a new path in the NBA’s fast‑moving landscape.
Source: New York Post
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