New York Knicks Provide Up Date On When Reserve Big Will Make His Season Debut, Plus Karl-Anthony Towns Balling Out, and Jericho Sims A Defensive Ace

New York Knicks reserve big man Precious Achiuwa has begun ramping up his rehab. Is he close to a return?

Achiuwa has yet to make his season debut after re-signing with the Knicks this offseason for one year, $6 million. He was expected to have a major role off the bench this year after impressing the franchise following the Knicks’ midseason acquisition of the 6-8 big.

Achiuwa had a strong preseason, producing one double-double and averaging 9.4 points and 7.2 rebounds. However, he strained his hamstring in the Knicks’ preseason final.  Despite initially being disclosed as a two-to-four absence, Achiuwa has missed the first 20 contests.

The good news is that Achiuwa told The New York Post’s Stefan Bondy that he has been practicing fully with the team. The 25-year-old forward added that he wasn’t sure when he could return.

“I need to get to that point where I’m able to build confidence with myself again,” Achiuwa said about what needed to happen for him to return. “I’m an explosive player. For me to be able to explode, I’m going to have to build that confidence. … Once I get to that point where I feel like I’m optimal to play, I’ll be out there playing.”

New York Knicks Provide Up Date On When Reserve Big Will Make His Season Debut, Plus Karl-Anthony Towns Balling Out, and Jericho Sims A Defensive Ace

New York is 12-8 on the season, but the Knicks really could use Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson to get healthy. The Knicks have been shorthanded for the entire season, particularly up front, and it has really hurt them.

New York has the league’s top offensive team at 121.1, and the Knicks are the second-best shooting team in the NBA, behind only Cleveland. The Knicks are second in the league in field goal percentage (49.5% shooting) and 3-point percentage (39.5% shooting). They are also first in free throw percentage (83.2%) and fourth in turnovers at 12.4 a contest.

As good as New York has been offensively, the Knicks have been just as bad defensively. The Knicks are 22nd in defensive rating, as opponents are shooting 46.7% from the field, which is 13th worst in the league, and 36.8% from deep, which is ninth worst.

Unsurprisingly, the Knicks’ biggest problem is rim protection. They are 28th in block shots at 4.8, though more importantly, their opponents make 62.7%  of their attempts within five feet of the hoop.

The Knicks’ opponents also make 44.4% from 5-to-9 feet, the seventh-worst percentage. Overall, their opponents make 22 of their 38.3 attempts within 10 feet, or 57.4%.

Help could be on the way soon. Thibodeau told Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News earlier today that is “getting closer” to a return and could be back “in a week or so.”

“I think one of my biggest gifts is defensive versatility, being able to guard multiple positions, one through five,” Achiuwa said. “For me, coming back, we’re already probably the best offense in the league right now. So, how can I add to the team on the defensive end and being able to make us elite on that side? I think we do have the potential to be elite defensively.”

Karl-Anthony Towns Playing His Best Basketball?

Despite being shorthanded, New York still has one of the top center units in the NBA. Obviously, that mainly has to do with Karl-Anthony Towns balling out.

Towns is arguably playing the best basketball of his career. The 29-year-old is one of two players averaging 25 points and 13 rebounds, Nikola Jokic being the other. He has produced 17 double-doubles in 19 appearances. He is 12th in the NBA in scoring and second in rebounding. He leads the NBA in total defensive boards (191), and his 33.7% defensive rebound percentage is a career-best.

“He’s a terrific rebounder,” Tom Thibodeau said. “Always been a terrific rebounder. He’s longer than you think, long arms, strong, really strong. Great anticipation. His experiences have helped him a lot, too.”

Towns has scored in double figures in each of his contests. He has scored at least 20 points (13), 30 or more (7), and reached the 40-point mark (2). Additionally, he has seven games of 15 or more boards.

As good as Towns has been offensively, he has been as awful on the defensive end. Never known for his defensive ability, Towns has been exposed even more, having to be the Knicks’ primary rim protector. While Towns is averaging 25.2 points a game, and the Knicks are a +3.7 when he is on the court, the 7-footer gives up about 20 points to his checks.

Towns allow his opponents to make 54% of their 14.3 field goal attempts, including 1.6 of their 4.7 3-pointers (34.7%). Specifically, he has been taken to the woodshed near the rim as opponents shoot 72% against him within six feet and 68.8% from 10 feet.

Jericho Sims: A Defensive Standout

Jericho Sims has served as Towns’ primary backup. In 13.6 minutes of action, Sims averages 1.9 points on a highly efficient 72% shooting from the field. While never going to be an offensive threat, Sims is also doing an excellent job on the boards, grabbing 4.2 boards a contest (1.5 offensive) and providing the Knicks with some rim protection with 1.2 blocks.

Besides being known for his athleticism, Sims has always been considered a strong physical defender. However, Sims has been particularly strong on that end of the floor. He is holding his checks to 34.9% shooting on 6.6 shots, including 33.3% (0.8 for 2.4) within six feet.

“He’s really worked hard at it,” Thibodeau said to Bondy about Sims’ defensive prowess. “Very athletic. Great feet. And making the right decision at the right time. His athleticism is through the roof. He can react very quickly. And you need that. The rim protection is huge.”

New York is +2.4 when Sims is on the floor for the season. Over the last 10 games, the Knicks have been even better (+3.5) when Sims has been on the floor, as he has stepped up his defensive game.

“I think it goes underappreciated with the casual basketball fan that just looks at stats and doesn’t see the game and the presence that [Sims] has,” Josh Hart added. “In the beginning of the year, he was trying to figure out what to do, how to play, his spots to be. But in the last 10 to 12 games, he’s been huge for us. He’s been someone who has come in and rebounded at a high level. Guarded the pick-and-roll pretty well. Protects the rim at a high level. He’s someone who has been huge for us. Casual basketball fans don’t really see his value, but we know exactly what he brings.”