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Knicks Rumors: RJ Barrett Expected to Miss 'Week or so' with Finger Injury
December 28, 2022
New York Knicks' star RJ Barrett will reportedly miss about a week of action with a finger laceration, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Barrett left Tuesday's dramatic 126-121 overtime loss against the Dallas Mavericks with the injury and didn't return.
Barrett, 22, hadn't missed a game this season, averaging 19.7 points and three assists per game in 35 contests while shooting 42.7 percent from the field, 33.2 percent from three and 76.2 percent from the charity stripe.
He's been one of New York's more consistent performers, along with point guard Jalen Brunson and power forward Julius Randle.
The Knicks were also without Brunson during Tuesday's loss because of a sore hip.
"You trust your medical [staff]," head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters before the game regarding the veteran point guard. "Obviously, he has a big say in it, but you put everyone together, and he's going to make a good decision."
Even without Barrett and Brunson, the Knicks still held a nine-point lead with 33 seconds remaining. But the Mavericks went on a late run to force overtime and won it in the extra period, buoyed by Luka Dončić's historic 60-point, 21-rebound, 10-assist triple double.
"It's tough. It's a shame to not come out of here with a win," Thibodeau told reporters after the loss. "So 29 seconds to go, their shots, offensive rebounds, fouls. So disappointed."
Perhaps with Brunson and Barrett available, the Knicks (18-17) would have avoided being on the wrong side of history. Now, they'll be facing life without Barrett for at least the next week.
Luckily, they won't have to face Dončić again during that period.