With Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson sidelined by injuries, Knicks big man Jericho Sims is getting steady time. However, he’s been reluctant to make impact offensively, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post notes.
In 94 minutes this season, he’s taken six total shots. In the Knicks’ three November games, he has one field goal attempt in 42 minutes. This is a pivotal season for Sims, who will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
We have more on the New York teams:
- The Knicks are off to a 3-4 start and The Athletic’s James Edwards has noted some troubling trends. They rank last in the league in pace offensively, they’re 30th in free throw attempts per game and they’ve struggled against opponents that do a lot of switching defensively.
- Recently-signed Knicks forward Matt Ryan played high school ball approximately 20 minutes in drive time from the Knicks current practice facility. “It’s extremely special,” Ryan said of joining the Knicks, per Bondy. “But at the end of the day I know playing for [Tom Thibodeau], it’s going to require a tremendous amount of focus every day, blocking out everything else that’s going on. It’s very lucky, a unique circumstance to come home, play for the Knicks as a Westchester kid. But I’m locked in. Probably never been more focused than I am right now.”
- Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith had his best outing of the season with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal in a win over Memphis on Monday. Brooklyn is hoping the veteran will continue to produce, since he’s a prime trade candidate. He holds a $15.4MM option on his contract for next season. “He’s been guarding centers, he’s been guarding point guards. … I’m doing all this to him and he’s fighting. The fact that I can see him fight defensively, but also see the shot go in, nobody deserves it more than him,” coach Jordi Fernandez told Bridget Reilly of the New York Post.