The New York Knicks provide positive news about the injured forward

Before the Denver Nuggets began their offensive conquest on Monday night, the New York Knicks had a valuable update to offer.

For James L. Edwards III of The AthleticKnicks head coach Tom Thibodeau revealed the backup is injured Dear Achiuwa “does almost everything now,” indicating the imminent return of the internal threat. Achiuwa has yet to play this season after suffering a hamstring injury in the exhibition final in Charlotte last month.

Despite Monday’s 145-118 demolition of Denver, the Knicks certainly missed Achiuwa’s services as a depth star, which was seen after he and OG Anunoby arrived from Toronto in a trade in late December. Achiuwa’s initial diagnosis after the injury there was a reassessment in two to four weeks.

In 49 appearances for the Knicks (including 18 starts), Achiuwa averaged a career-high 7.2 rebounds and shot over 52 percent from the floor. He was re-signed late in the offseason, shortly before the Knicks added current starting center Karl-Anthony Towns in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

With both Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson were out, the Knicks (10-7) used permanent hire Jericho Sims as the best option for Towns, and rookie Ariel Hukporti also received tender minutes. Despite Towns’ best efforts, the Knicks’ rebounding has suffered somewhat this season as they deal with absences but leave the fewest lineups in the league entering Tuesday idle.

Edwards noted that Thibodeau also received an update… or lack thereof… on Robinson, who is “still in the rehab process.” Robinson isn’t expected to return until January, but he posted a Christmas wish list on his Instagram Story that suggested an early inclusion in the show.

Both Achiuwa and Robinson are traveling as part of the Knicks’ ongoing visits to the West, which conclude with a game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

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