The minutes and expanded roles might be fleeting.
The encouraging contributions — defensively for Delon Wright, offensively for Landry Shamet — might disappear as soon as Jalen Brunson returns from the sprained ankle that has sidelined him since March 7, Miles McBride returns from the left groin pressure that has sidelined him since March 20, and Cam Payne returns from the ankle sprain that has sidelined him since Friday.
However for now, Wright — acquired within the Jericho Sims take care of the Bucks forward of the commerce deadline — and Shamet, who signed a one-year deal within the offseason, have continued to string collectively robust performances and make instances to carve out some semblance of a small position even after the Knicks rotation reaches full power once more.
Wright, 32, might begin a 3rd consecutive sport when the Knicks host the 76ers on the Backyard with Brunson, McBride and Payne all dominated out, whereas Shamet has collected double-digit factors in three of their previous 4 video games and capitalized on elevated makes an attempt.
For a lot of the season, the Knicks’ depth was seen as a weak point, however in current video games, they’ve relied on it to outlive.
“He’s doing precisely what we’d like him to do,” Josh Hart mentioned of Shamet on Sunday after the Knicks defeated the Path Blazers. “We love him being aggressive. We love him flattening photographs. And we’d like that to proceed. Loving how he’s enjoying proper now and persevering with to provide us power.”
Over the previous 4 video games, Shamet has shot 51.7 % from the sector and 45 % past the arc. Payne’s absence additionally allowed Wright to earn consecutive begins and go from logging minimal court docket time — or none in any respect — to amassing over half-hour every within the wins in opposition to the Bucks and Path Blazers.
He compiled 19 factors, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks throughout these two video games, however with protection and deflections forming the crux of his NBA popularity Wright, as a 6-foot-5 guard, has emerged as an intriguing possibility for the Knicks to show to for a prompt the bench within the playoffs, if Tom Thibodeau decides to make use of an expanded rotation for restricted minutes.
“He’s received nice measurement at his place,” Thibodeau mentioned of Wright. “That’s his reward, is his protection, and he will get lots of deflections. He’s excellent off the ball. It permits you to do extra switching, so he has an excellent affect on the sport. Performs arduous on each possession.”
The Knicks plan to signal 39-year-old wing PJ Tucker to a two-year deal — with a crew possibility for 2025-26 — after his pair of 10-day contracts expired, in line with ESPN.
He solely logged two minutes throughout his pair of offers, making a cameo throughout the loss to the Spurs on March 19.
However Tucker — who has additionally appeared in video games for the Suns, Rockets, 76ers, Raptors, Warmth, Clippers and Bucks throughout a prolonged NBA profession that began when he was a second-round choose in 2006 — will now be eligible to play for the Knicks all through the postseason.
Tyrese Maxey (finger), Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) and Andre Drummond (toe) had been dominated out for Tuesday’s sport. Kyle Lowry (proper hip) was listed as questionable.
Joel Embiid and Paul George have already been dominated out for the remainder of the season.
