The Knicks will be without at least one starter on Friday night as they host the Celtics in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals. New York has four players listed on their injury report including three starters for the matchup.
Mitchell Robinson will miss his second straight game to begin the year due to left ankle management. Ariel Hukporti started in his place during Wednesday’s opening night win against the Cavaliers.
Reserve forward Josh Hart also missed that matchup but he was upgraded to questionable for Friday’s matchup against Boston as he continues to deal with back spasms. He has not played in a game since becoming injured in the team’s preseason opener in Abu Dhabi against the 76ers.
Karl-Anthony Towns played through a Grade 2 quadriceps strain on Wednesday and remains questionable for the second straight game with the injury. OG Anunoby is also probable with an ankle injury after a standout performance in the opener.
The Celtics will be at close to full strength in the opener outside of missing Jayson Tatum (Achilles tear). Reserve center Luka Garza (concussion) has been ruled out although he is traveling with the team on their three-game road trip. Jaylen Brown has been removed from the injury report entirely after being questionable for Wednesday night with a hamstring injury.
The Celtics and Knicks tip off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night at Madison Square Garden in the league’s first televised game on Amazon Prime.
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