The New York Knicks’ backcourt took another hit on Wednesday night when point guard Cameron Payne exited early with a sprained ankle suffered during the first half of their 126-113 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
His exit thins a position that was already that is already at its limit. All-Star Jalen Brunson is making his way back from a sprained ankle that will likely keep him out through at least next week.
Backup Miles McBride is dealing with a groin issue that has kept him out each of the last three games, though head coach Tom Thibodeau expressed some hope that he could return as soon as Friday in Milwaukee against the Bucks.
If he is unable to go, though, the Knicks will have to remain reliant on their fourth-string point guard in rookie Tyler Kolek, who tied a season-high with 18 minutes on Wednesday night. He went scoreless with seven assists while struggling defensively against Clippers veteran star James Harden.
“They kept coming at us with that high two-man game,” Kolek said. “I’ve got to be better about defending that.”
Payne had started the previous three games, recording 13 points with seven assists in Saturday’s win over the Washington Wizards. He had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in 18 minutes on Wednesday night before the injury.
Seldom-used veteran Delon Wright, who had appeared in just six games and averaged four minutes per night with the Knicks since being acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 6, played 12 minutes on Wednesday night and would serve as Kolek’s backup on Friday.
“Just next guy get in there,” Thibodeau said (h/t NY Post). “I thought Tyler played well in the first half. And then Delon, who’s the next guy, get in and get the job done. That’s a big part of your approach, your team’s approach. I think there’s going to be adversity. You have to be mentally tough. You have to be able to get through that. You have to stay disciplined.”
