The Knicks’ depth of guard will be tested even more severely on Thursday night against the Orlando Magic.
Rookie Immanuel Quickley will miss the game due to a pain in his left ankle, Knicks announced, along with colleagues 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 probably replace him against Magic. Alec Burks, the reserve goalkeeper, spent some time on the ball in the last games, and the Knicks (20-21) executed a large part of their offense through striker Julius Randle, who leads the team with 5.8 assists per game.
Little-used goalkeeper Jared Harper, who has not appeared in a game since Dec. 31, could also see action after spending time with Westchester in the G-League ball.
Quickley said after losing to the 76ers on Tuesday that he injured his ankle in the first quarter, but remained in the game and “just solved it.”