As the lone Monday contest on the NBA's schedule, the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors have the undivided attention of the league's fan base and following. Both teams having their respective stars available could mean the difference between decent viewership or a rating dip. Regarding the Knicks, one important player on the injury report could sway the pendulum.
New York won its last four of five contests, but its four-game winning streak ended when it lost to the Detroit Pistons 120-111 on Saturday. Although DraftKings favors the Knicks by 6.5 points, the Jalen Brunson-led squad proved they aren't above losing to inferior teams.
Regarding the injury report and what could lead to a possible two-game losing streak, Karl-Anthony Towns's possibility of sitting out for the second consecutive contest looms before the 7:30 Eastern tip-off.
Towns sat out vs. the Pistons due to a right knee ailment.
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Without Towns, the Knicks lacked enough bigs to protect the rim and missed their best 3-point shooting threat.
Opposing the Knicks' starting center (whoever gets the start) is Jakob Poeltl. If Towns doesn't play, it will be a long night for the Knicks' frontcourt.
Knicks vs. Raptors Injury Report
New York Knicks
Boo Buie III (OUT - G League)
Kevin McCullar Jr. (OUT - G League)
Cameron Payne (QUESTIONABLE - left elbow)
Mitchell Robinson (OUT - right ankle)
Karl-Anthony Towns (QUESTIONABLE - right knee)
Toronto Raptors
Bruce Brown (OUT - return to competition conditioning)
D.J. Carton (OUT - G League)
Immanuel Quickley (OUT - left elbow)
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This story was originally published December 9, 2024, 1:48 PM.