Tom Thibodeau used OG Anunoby’s absence from the lineup to have a look — for a couple of minutes, not less than — at Karl-Anthony Cities at energy ahead with rookie Ariel Hukporti at heart Tuesday evening in opposition to the Raptors.
It could possibly be a precursor to enjoying Cities and former beginning heart Mitchell Robinson in tandem as soon as Robinson lastly is cleared to make his regular-season debut following Might ankle surgical procedure.
Cities had shifted again to the center this 12 months with the Knicks, after largely manning the No. 4 energy ahead spot the earlier two seasons in Minnesota after the Timberwolves had acquired All-Star heart Rudy Gobert.
“Only a tall lineup, and it’s gonna be thrilling to form of discover that lineup,” Cities stated in regards to the attainable configuration after Friday’s follow in Tarrytown. “It ought to give me … I’ve some familiarity with it with Rudy, so it’ll be one thing that I’ll faucet into that form of potential nicely.”
The 26-year-old Robinson was slated to overlook his 52nd consecutive recreation Saturday evening in opposition to the Celtics on the Backyard.
However after lastly getting cleared for contact earlier within the week, the 7-footer “did fairly a bit in follow” Friday and was “shifting nicely,” in line with Thibodeau.
Robinson nonetheless has not resumed five-on-five scrimmaging, however Thibodeau stated his conditioning is “fairly good” after recurrently figuring out on a stationary bike earlier than returning to the follow courtroom.
“All the time seeing Mitch is nice,” Cities stated. “Being round him since I bought right here, it’s been superior to have the ability to get to know him extra on the good friend aspect, as an alternative of simply being his competitor.
“I respect him tremendously for what he does for this crew. So it’s been nice to have the ability to construct a bond with him.”
For that cause, Cities added that he doesn’t view Robinson — who has averaged 1.9 blocked pictures per recreation over his first six NBA seasons — because the Knicks’ alternative for a major acquisition at Thursday’s commerce deadline.
“Nah, he’s been right here,” the fifth-time All-Star stated. “We’ve at all times had nice plans and a relationship with him so nothing modified.”
All-Star level guard Jalen Brunson is also trying ahead to seeing what the Robinson-Cities mixture can do — even in small doses — as soon as the previous is ready to return to the lineup.
“They’ve the potential to be excellent,” Brunson stated. “I simply need Mitch to come back again totally wholesome and able to go. That’s my principal focus, simply ensuring he’s totally, 100% prepared.”
Within the meantime, the little-used Hukporti has acquired backup heart minutes previously two video games with Anunoby (sprained foot) sidelined.
The 2024 second-round decide recorded six factors and 5 rebounds in 19 energetic minutes Tuesday in opposition to the Raptors, with fellow reserve Jericho Sims getting traded to the Bucks the next day.
“He’s completed a superb job,” Thibodeau stated of the 7-foot Hukporti, who was born in Germany. “He’s younger. He’s studying. So, he’s getting higher.
“The best way Treasured [Achiuwa] has performed has been an enormous plus for us. We even have OG, who can slide over to the 5, so we predict we now have good depth there.”
Requested what he’s seen from Hukporti because the season has progressed, Cities replied that “the rook has been improbable.”
“He’s coming in day by day with the appropriate mindset,” Cities stated. “He’s hungry to be the most effective model of himself and is tremendous coachable. It permits him to be on a quick monitor to success.
“And he’s completed himself simply nothing however wonders by being who he’s and being the participant he’s and simply eager to be a famous person in his function.”