The New York Knicks will conclude their five-game road trip against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, and they may be without some core pieces.
The New York Knicks (42-25, No. 3 in the Eastern Conference) will conclude their five-game road trip on Friday against the Indiana Pacers (15-51, No. 15 in the Eastern Conference) on Friday after defeating the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
The victory over Utah put New York back in the win column after it dropped a pair of games against the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers. With their road trip about to come to an end, the Knicks will most likely be without the services of multiple key players.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ Status in Doubt
After efficiently notching 21 points along with seven rebounds and seven assists against Utah, Towns’ status for Friday’s game has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful as he is dealing with bilateral knee soreness.
Towns has been a key part of New York’s success this season. During his second season in a Knicks uniform, Towns is averaging 20 points and 11.9 rebounds while shooting 49.3% from the field and 37% from 3-point range. Through seven games in March, he is averaging 21.1 points on 62.4% shooting.
Josh Hart is Doubtful
Knee troubles are not just plaguing Towns. It appears that Josh Hart is also doubtful for Friday’s game due to managing soreness in his left knee. If Hart does not play, it will be the second-straight game he will miss.
In New York’s loss to the Clippers on Monday, Hart notched a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double. Seven of his 13 rebounds came on the offensive glass, and he hit five of his seven shot attempts. The Knicks were able to get past the Jazz without him, but his presence and tenacity will be missed despite playing another struggling team in Indiana.
Jeremy Sochan is Sick
Rounding out the list of doubtful players for New York is Jeremy Sochan, whose status on the injury report is due to an illness.
Sochan, 22, signed with the Knicks on Feb. 13 after clearing waivers with the San Antonio Spurs; ending his tenure of three-plus seasons with the organization that selected him with the ninth pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Baylor.
Sochan has not played a large role for the Knicks since joining the team. In 10 games, he is averaging 1.3 points in 5.3 minutes per game.
Miles McBride Remains Out
Guard Miles McBride’s prolonged absence will continue after the 25-year-old underwent surgery to repair a core muscle injury in February. Before the operation, it was expected that he may remain sidelined until the playoffs.
In 35 games this season, McBride has averaged 12.9 points while shooting 42% from the perimeter.