The Knicks were already without Julius Randle entering the playoffs. We all knew it. Randle has been sidelined since January, so New York totally understood that they should have won without him (and there might even be an argument that the Knicks are better off without Randle, but that’s a debate for another day).
But then New York was hit by an avalanche of additional health problems.
Mitchell Robinson is out. Bogdan Bogdanovic, a valuable midseason acquisition, is on the shelf. OG Anunoby is now sidelined with a hamstring injury. Jalen Brunson is battling a foot injury sustained in Game 2 against the Pacers. Isaiah Hartenstein was already dealing with Achilles tendon soreness and now also has an unstable shoulder.
The Knicks got away with some superb play from role players like Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart, but Pierce thinks their time is up.
“Look at this, in the first three games, DiVincenzo was averaging 29 points a game, 50% from the field, 56% from 3,” Pierce said; “Josh Hart in the first three games, 17 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, 65% from the field, 60% from 3. If they play at that level during the season, he’s All-NBA. With the injuries the Knicks have suffered, I really think the Cinderella race is over for the Knicks.
Pierce makes some very salient points.
DiVincenzo averaged 15.5 points per game during the regular season. Hart scored 9.4 points per game while shooting 31 percent from long range. But suddenly, the two wings experienced a colossal increase in production in the playoffs.