New York Knicks starting wing RJ Barrett will miss his sixth consecutive game Monday night due to a lacerated right index finger. But the 22-year-old forward is inching closer to return.
Barrett, who was listed as doubtful before he was scratched from playing against the Milwaukee Bucks, has been doing well, according to New York coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks are scheduled to host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday before going on a two-game road trip this weekend in Washington (Friday) and Indiana (Sunday).
Before the injury, Barrett has finally hit his strides after a poor start to the season.
In his last 10 games, Barrett averaged 25.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field and 44.6 percent from behind the arc.
The Knicks are 4-1 since Barrett sustained the injury in the opening minutes of their overtime loss in Dallas last Dec. 27.
Without him, Immanuel Quickley will continue to start with Evan Fournier getting an extended run as part of the second unit.
Quickley has flourished without Barrett, averaging 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists over the Knicks’ last five games.
On the other hand, Fournier has re-emerged from the end of the bench and has played solidly, putting up 6.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in 14.8 minutes off the bench during Barrett’s absence.
Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo
The post Knicks’ RJ Barrett remains out vs Bucks but ‘real close’ to return appeared first on Empire Sports Media.