New York Knicks Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Derrick Rose Has Ankle Surgery, May Miss 8 Weeks

December 22nd, 2021 at 6:54pm CST by Arthur Hill

Knicks guard Derrick Rose underwent surgery on his right ankle today, the team announced (via Twitter). Rose is set to be re-evaluated in eight weeks, but there’s optimism that his timetable may be closer to six weeks, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Rose has been experiencing pain in the ankle and hasn’t played since last Thursday when he logged 12 minutes against the Rockets. He has been a steady presence for New York this season, averaging 12.0 points and 4.0 assists in 26 games.

The 33-year-old guard has a long injury history, dating back to a torn ACL in the 2012 playoffs. He has experienced issues with both ankles throughout his career.

With Rose sidelined, more point guard duties will likely revert to Kemba Walker, who was benched for more than three weeks before returning to the lineup Saturday. He will try to help keep the 14-17 Knicks in the playoff race until Rose can return.

Luka Doncic, Trey Burke, Nerlens Noel Enter Protocols

December 22nd, 2021 at 1:19pm CST by Luke Adams

Two more Mavericks players have entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to the team (Twitter link). Luka Doncic and Trey Burke are the fifth and sixth Dallas players in the protocols.

It’s especially tough timing for Doncic, who appeared to be on the verge of returning to action after missing the Mavs’ last five games due to a left ankle ailment. Assuming he has tested positive, he’ll now be out for the next 10 days or until he can return two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

We suspected that two more Mavericks may have entered the protocols today, since the club has now signed or reached agreements with six replacement players in the last week. The NBA’s new roster rules allow clubs to sign a replacement for each player in the protocols.

Meanwhile, a former Mav has also been placed in the COVID-19 protocols today, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, who tweets that center Nerlens Noel is the latest Knicks player to be affected by the virus.

New York now has seven players in the protocols, though a couple of those players – Obi Toppin and RJ Barrett – have reached the 10-day mark and should hopefully be cleared soon.

Atlantic Notes: Galloway, Walker, Sixers, Stauskas

December 21st, 2021 at 6:37pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

New Nets guard Langston Galloway is viewing his 10-day contract with the top team in the East as an audition for a longer-term return to the NBA, writes Shlomo Sprung of Boardroom.tv. Galloway – who was most recently playing with the Hawks’ NBAGL affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks – is averaging 16 MPG across his first two contests with Brooklyn.

Galloway, 30, went undrafted out of Saint Joseph’s in 2014, but eventually latched on with the Knicks in the middle of the 2014/15 season. The 6’1″ combo guard suited up for five NBA teams across seven NBA seasons before landing with Brooklyn this year. In 447 total games played with the Knicks, Pelicans, Kings, Pistons, Suns, and now Nets, he holds averages of 8.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, and 1.5 SPG.

Galloway played in just one game with the Skyhawks this year before being scooped up by Brooklyn. He notched 12 points, seven assists, three boards, and one steal.

“It gives guys an opportunity for another look,” Galloway said of his G League experience prior to joining the Nets. “Playing in G League games is great, but it’s nothing like having eyeballs on you at the NBA level and being able to show that I could really still do this. It’s a huge opportunity.“

There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau offered measured praise for point guard Kemba Walker, who poured in a season-best 29 points in a 114-107 loss to the Celtics this weekend, Walker’s first game back in the rotation since his unceremonious benching nine games prior, writes Greg Joyce of the New York Post. “Well, that’s who he is,” Thibodeau acknowledged about Walker’s solid offensive game. “He’s an accomplished player. I have to do what I think is best for the team. And that’s how I’m gonna make my decisions.” The Knicks went 2-7 in their nine games without Walker. Though Thibodeau was noncommittal after a Monday practice about whether or not Walker would play in further games, it appears fate is forcing his hand. Fred Katz of The Athletic reported (via Twitter) that point guard Derrick Rose would be unavailable for New York’s next game, Tuesday night against the league-worst Pistons, with an ankle injury. With six other Knicks still in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Walker will officially start for New York again this evening, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers reflected this week on just how deeply Philadelphia is feeling the absence of embattled point guard Ben Simmons, writes Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The team was the top seed in the East last year, but at 16-15 is currently the sixth seed in the conference as Simmons continues to sit out. “You see the glaring holes that he leaves us,” Rivers said of the club’s missing All-Defensive First Teamer. “And you know, he may or may not play. If he does, great. If he doesn’t, then whoever we get can help us.”
New Raptors shooting guard Nik Stauskas, a former lottery pick most recently with the Grand Rapids Gold, is delighted to be joining his hometown Toronto team, per Mike Singer of the Denver Post (Twitter link). The 28-year-old Michigan alum has logged time with the Kings, Sixers, Nets, Trail Blazers, and Cavaliers, but has not appeared in an NBA game since the 2018/19 NBA season.

Knicks Sign Matt Mooney Via Hardship Exception

December 21st, 2021 at 10:36am CST by Luke Adams

DECEMBER 21: The Knicks have officially signed Mooney to a 10-day contract, according to the team (Twitter link).

DECEMBER 20: Free agent shooting guard Matt Mooney is signing a 10-day contract with the Knicks via a hardship exception, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Mooney, who went undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2019, began his first professional season with the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G League affiliate, before signing a two-way contract with the Cavaliers. He appeared in four NBA games as a rookie, logging just 19 total minutes.

Mooney played for the Raptors’ G League team in 2020/21, then joined the Mexico City Capitanes this season. He has struggled with his three-point shot through 12 G League games in ’21/22, making just 27.6% of his outside attempts, but he’s still averaging 15.2 PPG, 4.6 APG, and 2.2 SPG in 32.8 MPG, and has displayed a more reliable three-pointer in past NBAGL seasons.

The Knicks are signing a series of replacement players to fill out a roster hit hard by injuries and COVID-19. Tyler Hall joined the team on Sunday and Damyean Dotson has reportedly agreed to a 10-day deal as well.

Knicks Sign Damyean Dotson To 10-Day Contract

December 21st, 2021 at 10:35am CST by Luke Adams

DECEMBER 21: Dotson’s 10-day deal is now official, the Knicks announced in a press release. It will run through December 30.

DECEMBER 20: The Knicks will use the hardship exception to sign veteran wing Damyean Dotson to a 10-day contract, agent Chris Gaston tells Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Dotson is no stranger to the Knicks, having appeared in 165 games for the team from 2017-20 after being selected 44th overall in the 2017 draft. His best NBA season came in 2018/19, when he started 40 of 73 games for the Knicks, averaging 10.7 PPG and 3.6 RPG on .415/.368/.745 shooting in 27.5 MPG.

The Cavaliers signed Dotson to a two-year contract during the 2020 offseason, but the second year of that deal was non-guaranteed, so Cleveland waived him this fall after he appeared in 46 games for the club in 2020/21. Most recently, Dotson has been playing for San Antonio’s G League affiliate, recording 12.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 3.9 APG in 12 games (34.9 MPG) for the Austin Spurs this season.

The Knicks, who have six players in the health and safety protocols, added Tyler Hall using a hardship exception on Sunday. At least one more signing could be forthcoming for New York before Tuesday’s game vs. Detroit.

Walker, Thibodeau Haven't Been Talking

December 20th, 2021 at 6:47pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Kemba Walker and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau have not discussed the point guard’s situation since he was removed from the rotation, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. However, Walker doesn’t want to be a distraction. “I’m not starting, I ain’t playing,” Walker said. “So I’m here for my team, I’m here for my teammates. I can’t say it enough. Whatever’s asked of me that’s what I’m here for.” Walker erupted for 29 points in 37 minutes for the depleted Knicks on Saturday, his first action since Nov. 26.

Kemba Walker: “I Know I Should Be Playing”

December 19th, 2021 at 9:00am CST by Arthur Hill

Knicks guard Kemba Walker turned in a vintage performance Saturday night as his exile to the bench finally ended, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Appearing in a game for the first time in more than three weeks, Walker delivered 29 points and kept his team competitive all the way to the end in a loss at Boston.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Walker didn’t criticize coach Tom Thibodeau or express a desire to get out of New York, but he made it clear that he’s not satisfied with the current situation.

“I know I should be playing, so no question. It feels great,” he said. “But whatever situation I’m in, I’m gonna stay locked in, stay prepared. Whatever the team needs from me, I’ll be there for them.”

In late November, Thibodeau pulled Walker from the starting lineup in favor of Alec Burks, who provides more size and a better defensive presence at point guard. But with Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley already coming off the bench, there were no minutes available for Walker.

Thibodeau had little choice Saturday night as the Knicks were missing nine players due to injuries and COVID-19. Walker returned to the starting lineup and logged 37 minutes in his first game back in Boston since being traded over the summer.

“It’s a tough decision to make, but you always have to do what you think is best for the team,” Thibodeau said before the game. “I view Kemba as a starter, and so it’d be tough to play three small guards together. I gave it consideration, and I’ve got great respect for who Kemba is as a person and all he’s accomplished in this league. But I have to do what I think is best for the team.”

Walker said his coach hasn’t directly explained the reason for the benching and hasn’t talked to him in several weeks. He credited associate head coach Johnnie Bryant for working with him during that time and keeping him ready to play.

The Knicks will be shorthanded for a few more games, so Walker’s return to the lineup should continue. Beyond that, his future in New York appears uncertain.

“I’ve had a great career thus far, and a lot of things went my way,” he said. “It’s a tough time right now, so it’s really about just showing my character, showing who I really am. I’m so mentally tough, I feel like I’m built for any situation, and I’m going to handle it the best I can. … Just try to be unbreakable and continue to put my work in and just stay ready for anything that comes my way.”

Knicks Sign Tyler Hall To 10-Day Contract

December 18th, 2021 at 12:56pm CST by JD Shaw

The Knicks have signed guard Tyler Hall to a 10-day contract, the team announced today (Twitter link). New York currently has six players in the league’s health and safety protocols, so the team used a hardship exception to sign Hall.

At 6’5″ and 210 pounds, Hall has impressed in the G League this season, averaging 14.6 points per game for New York’s affiliate, the Westchester Knicks. He’s also pitched in 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per outing, playing an average of 38.5 minutes.

Hall went undrafted in 2019 after playing four collegiate seasons at Montana State University. The Knicks (13-16) have upcoming games scheduled against the Celtics on Saturday, Pistons on Tuesday and Wizards on Thursday.

Evan Mobley, Marcus Morris, Miles McBride Enter Protocols

December 18th, 2021 at 12:45pm CST by JD Shaw

Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley (Twitter link), Clippers forward Marcus Morris and Knicks guard Miles McBride (Twitter link) have all entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to their respective teams. All three updates were released on Saturday morning.

Mobley, Morris and McBride join a growing list of players in the league’s protocols. A total of 58 players are currently waiting to return, according to our tracker. Assuming the trio tested positive for COVID-19, they’ll be out for at least 10 days unless they register consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

Mobley, 20, is currently enjoying a stellar rookie season. In 25 games, he’s averaged 13.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 33.6 minutes, starting in every one of his contests.

Morris, an 11-year veteran, is one of many Clippers players on the team’s injury report for Saturday’s game against Oklahoma City, but he’s the only player listed out due to the protocols.

McBride shined in the Knicks’ 116-103 win over Houston on Thursday, recording 15 points, nine rebounds and four steals as a starter. New York now has six players in the protocols.

New York Notes: Quickley, Robinson, Durant, Ennis

December 17th, 2021 at 11:42am CST by Luke Adams

Immanuel Quickley has become the latest Knicks player to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the team announced today (via Twitter). Quickley joins RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, and Quentin Grimes in the protocols, as COVID-19 continues to drain New York’s roster of available players. If Quickley tested positive for the virus, he’ll be out for the next 10 days or until he can return two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York teams:

Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News interprets a recent Instagram story from Mitchell Robinson as the Knicks center once again cryptically griping about his role. Robinson, who scored two points in 14 minutes on Tuesday vs. Golden State, said in his Instagram story that he was “literally running for cardio,” insinuating that he wants the ball more, according to Bondy.
Nets head coach Steve Nash badly wants to find a way to reduce Kevin Durant‘s workload, writes Tim Bontemps of ESPN. Durant is averaging 37.0 minutes per game this season, including 41.0 MPG over his last nine games with the team shorthanded. “I know he’s enjoying playing at the rate he’s playing at and trying to bring his teammates along with him and all the responsibility that he’s accepted and crushed, basically,” Nash said. “It’s just been incredible. But, at the same time, it’s not safe or sustainable to lean on him like that. There’s gonna be a lot of consideration and we’ll have to figure out ways to give him breaks.”
Blake Griffin, who played with James Ennis in Detroit, is happy that the Nets are signing his former teammate. “Great guy, plays hard, great defense,” Griffin said of Ennis (Twitter link via Brian Lewis of The New York Post). “Kind of just one of those guys that can do a little bit of everything.”