The New York Knicks lost one of their biggest pieces in the opening minutes of Saturday night’s matchup against the Orlando Magic, when Landry Shamet exited with a right shoulder injury. Shamet collided with Wendell Carter Jr. while trying to fight over a screen and immediately fell to the floor, writhing in pain.

The injury appeared to resemble a shoulder dislocation, given how quickly Shamet grabbed at it and the urgency with which he headed back to the locker room. He previously dislocated the same shoulder last season, an injury that cost him several months before eventually returning to the Knicks’ main roster.

During postgame interviews, Mikal Bridges addressed Shamet’s situation and the impact it has on the team.

“Dealing with probably the same shoulder thing. Praying for the best & hoping everything’s OK. Definitely going to need him. I saw him at half. He said he was OK. As long as he’s OK, his mental is OK. He knows more than me, but he’s in good spirits.”

Bridges understands how detrimental Shamet’s absence could be — not just for the guard himself, but for the entire roster. Bridges has never missed a game in his college or NBA career, earning him the league’s “iron-man” reputation, but he knows how fragile team continuity can be.

Shamet has worked his way up from the bottom during his Knicks tenure. After last season’s shoulder injury, he was drafted into the G League, rehabbed through the “minors,” and clawed his way into the rotation after spending time on the end of the bench.

This year, he is having the best season of his professional career, averaging 9.3 points on 45.2% shooting from the field and 42.4% from three.

Viewed as far more than a one-trick pony, Shamet has been a pivotal piece in New York’s rotation. He’s started multiple games and has been Mike Brown’s first option off the bench, bringing a unique blend of offensive spacing and defensive activity.

Unfortunately for the Knicks, Shamet’s injury adds to an already growing list of depth concerns. OG Anunoby isn’t expected to return until the team is back at Madison Square Garden. Miles McBride has missed several games to open the season. Mitchell Robinson began the year sidelined and continues to be held out of back-to-backs.

With Brown heavily relying on the bench, it truly will be a “next man up” stretch that defines the coming weeks. Rookie Mohamed Diawara has earned increased minutes, while Tyler Kolek saw meaningful playing time on Saturday night.