The New York Knicks are facing yet another blow to their frontcourt depth as the regular season looms closer. Just when fans were catching their breath after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the Oklahoma City Thunder and with Robinson out due to multiple ankle surgeries, fate dealt another painful hand. Precious Achiuwa, one of the team’s key reserves, has been sidelined with a strained left hamstring. And here’s where things take a darker turn—Achiuwa won’t be re-evaluated for another two to four weeks, leaving the Knicks scrambling for answers.
The Knicks’ Big Man Problem: Robinson Out, Now Achiuwa Too!
Achiuwa, acquired from the Toronto Raptors last season, was never expected to start but was going to be a crucial part of the Knicks’ rotation. He made a solid impact, averaging 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and over one block per game in 49 appearances. Although undersized for a center at just 6’8”, Achiuwa filled the void with relentless hustle, contributing to the Knicks’ competitive frontcourt. But now, his injury leaves New York with some serious soul-searching to do.
Of course, the Knicks had already stirred up the league by acquiring four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Swapping out Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo for Towns looked like a genius move, especially after Hartenstein’s departure. But let’s not forget that Towns himself is no stranger to injury. He missed 20 games last season and played in a measly 29 out of 82 games in 2022-23. Can the Knicks really bank on him to carry the load while Achiuwa and Robinson are out?
The pressure now falls on 26-year-old Jericho Sims, an athletic freak but offensively limited player. Sims has been more of a backup option so far, starting just 32 games in three seasons with the Knicks. His career averages of 2.6 points and 4 rebounds are hardly reassuring. The Knicks’ season might now hinge on whether Sims can evolve quickly enough to fill in for the missing pieces.
The Knicks’ once-promising frontcourt now seems like a house of cards ready to collapse. Between Towns’ history of injuries and the inexperience of Sims, New York is skating on thin ice. Even the addition of rookie Ariel Hukporti, who had an underwhelming preseason, averaging just 4 points and 3.3 rebounds, does little to ease the worry.
At this point, the Knicks are holding their breath, hoping that Achiuwa’s hamstring heals quickly and that their frontcourt can survive until Robinson’s return. With the season fast approaching, this might be the Knicks’ most daunting challenge yet.
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