The Knicks already knew they’d be without Julius Randle on Tuesday night, but imported wing OG Anunoby also sat out his second straight against the Jazz at the Garden.
Anunoby remains day-to-day with a sore elbow, and Randle is expected to miss several weeks with a dislocated right shoulder.
“OG is out. … Still not quite ready. And still waiting on the information for Julius,” coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game.
Of Anunoby, Thibodeau called it “just some inflammation, so we want it to calm down.” Asked if he’s concerned, he replied, “I’m concerned about everything.”
The Knicks’ coach said he hoped to have a more definitive time frame on Randle “probably in a day or two.”
“To me, I would just be speculating, and I don’t want to do that,” Thibodeau said. “So just let ’em gather all the information, and then he’s gonna get together with our medical people, as well. And they’ll come up with a good plan going forward. So it’s the smart way to handle it, I think.”
Thibodeau often talks about a player’s “impact on winning” when asked about All-Star selections, so he was asked before the game if he believes the Knicks — who entered with a 30-17 record after a 13-2 start to January since Anunoby’s arrival — might get two picks this year: Randle, a two-time selection who then would have to be replaced due to injury, and point guard Jalen Brunson, who is likely to earn his first career designation when reserves are announced Thursday night.
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“I’m hopeful,” said Thibodeau, who was not allowed to pick his own players when the coaches voted to fill out the rosters. “The hard part for the coaches is there’s a lot of guys who are deserving and are having great years, and there’s just not enough spots.
“When you get down to the end, you try to weigh it out, and it’s what sways the votes. You tend to use that and what’s the impact on winning. [Voting], it’s not a lot of fun. Lot of guys having great years, a lot of guys who are deserving. I always felt the All-Star game was for the fans, that’s what makes it exciting.”
Veteran guard Evan Fournier remained out for personal reasons.