As the games keep on coming, the injury bug also keeps on hitting the New York Knicks.
Starter Reggie Bullock will not play Monday night in Charlotte due to a sore right hip, the Knicks announced.
Bullock has been averaging 28.7 minutes producing 8.5 points on 33.3 percent on threes, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
His outside shooting and defense will be sorely missed as Tom Thibodeau’s wing rotation is getting thinner.
The timing couldn’t have come at the worst time with the Knicks in the midst of a two-game losing streak. They have their plate full this week with a four-game schedule, including Monday night’s match against the streaking Hornets.
Bullock joins the Knicks’ injury list that also includes rookie Obi Toppin (strained right calf), Frank Ntilikina (sprained right knee), Alec Burks (sprained left ankle), and new signee Taj Gibson who is still undergoing health protocols before joining the team.
The Knicks are expected to bring Austin Rivers up to the starting unit to replace Bullock. But there’s also a chance that Kevin Knox will get the starting nod if Thibodeau opts to have a veteran leader on the floor for his second unit.
Meanwhile, Toppin is making progress with his recovery, although he hasn’t been cleared for contact.
“Right now, it’s 1-on-0, with some movement, jumping, change of direction, and that sort of thing,†Thibodeau said last Sunday.
“Then he’ll progress to 2-on-2, 3-on-3, and get to the point where he can get to 5-on-5 and get through practice,” he continued.
Toppin hasn’t seen action since the season opener.
Burks, on the other hand, is closing to re-evaluation later this week. The veteran wingman had been on a walking boot since Wednesday last week. He was initially given a 7-10 day timetable before he can be re-evaluated.
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