The Knicks’ depth at point guard will be tested even more heavily against the Orlando Magic on Thursday-evening.
Rookie Immanuel Quickley will miss the game due to a sore left ankle, the Knicks announced, along with fellow point guards Elfrid Payton (tense right hamstring), Derrick Rose (health and safety protocols) and Austin Rivers (personal reasons) on the sidelines.
Quickley had started the last two games against Brooklyn and Philadelphia, but Frank Ntilikina will likely replace him against the Magic. Reserve guard Alec Burks has also spent some time on the ball in recent games, with the Knicks (20-21) running much of their offense by power striker Julius Randle, who leads the team with 5.8 assists per game.
Little-used point guard Jared Harper, who hasn’t appeared in a game since December 31, could also see action after spending time with Westchester in the G League bubble.
Quickley said after Tuesday’s loss to the 76ers that he injured his ankle in the first quarter, but stayed in the game and “just broke up.”