Bad news for the Knicks’ ongoing struggles: Julius Randle and OG Anunoby will be sidelined for at least another week.

To get healthy, the Knicks need a lot of players on their roster.

It doesn’t seem like too lengthy to be one or two weeks. However, the New York Knicks are in a very close playoff race, so every game counts. Furthermore, a few extra weeks without important players can make a big difference in a race like this playoffs. In the Eastern Conference right now, the eighth-seeded Indiana Pacers and the fourth-seeded Knicks are separated by just 1.5 games.

The Knicks had a solid start to the season with the acquisition of Precious Achiuwa and OG Anunoby in a late December deal, which put them in high gear. However, injuries subsequently occurred.

Along with a few less serious ones, three Knicks starters (as of January 1) had injuries and are in varying stages of recuperation.

After having surgery on February 8 to remove a loose body from his shooting elbow (he had been sidelined since January 29), Anunoby recently started shooting the basketball. On January 27, Julius Randle dislocated his non-shooting shoulder against the Miami Heat; however, he chose rehabilitation over surgery.

With a strained Achilles tendon that still affects his performance, Isaiah Hartenstein missed two games prior to the All-Star break. Following Thursday night’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, Hartenstein told reporters that he “probably could have sat out a couple more weeks.”

Mitchell Robinson is not even included in it.

Knicks’ current difficulties
The ailments described above will undoubtedly affect how the Knicks’ season concludes. In its last ten games, New York has only won three; the one victory came against the Detroit Pistons, who are the weakest team in the league, by two points. The Knicks have a combined record of -70 after ten games. They have scored seven less points per game (106.1) than they have given up (113.1) throughout that time. That is undoubtedly a concern.

Upon closer inspection, the Knicks let opponents shoot 50.7% from the field in February compared to 43.9% in January. Additionally, they permitted opponents to make 43.2% of their three-point tries, compared to 32.2% in January. It’s evident that they are deficient in some area, such as effort, endurance, or skill.

However, it goes beyond defense. In addition, the Knicks’ shooting percentage in February (43.9%) was noticeably lower than its January (48%). When their injured stars return, their shooting problems ought to be resolved. This season, Anunoby (49.8%), Randle (47.2%), and Robinson (59.2%) have all shot above average.

Though nothing is imminent, Anunoby and Randle’s returns might come in a week or ten days, which would tremendously help their offense and defense.

However, there are significant differences between a week and a month. There are just three games for New York in the first week of March. Of course, every game matters. The Knicks can afford three more defeats, but they cannot afford to carry on losing for the full month of March.

Eight of New York’s 14 March games are against winning clubs. For background, without Anunoby, Randle, and Robinson in February, New York had a 4-8 record.

Anunoby and Randle’s recovery times will have a big impact on the Knicks’ postseason seeding. And it’s absurd to think that Randle can play again after suffering a dislocated shoulder and Anunoby can recover from surgery without needing a few games to adjust to the faster pace of the game.

Thus, for a smooth and speedy return, New York and its supporters should offer up prayers to whichever god they revere. If not, the Knicks might be involved in a very close battle for a postseason berth. Furthermore, no one really wants to see any games in the play-in tournament that are decide-by-the-score.