Karl-Anthony Towns injury update: Knicks star playing in Game 5 vs. Pacers

The New York Knicks are looking to save their season Thursday night, however will they’ve their second-best offensive weapon?

Middle Karl-Anthony Cities suffered a left knee contusion late in Tuesday night time’s Recreation 4 loss within the Jap Convention finals towards the Pacers when he crashed knees with Indiana guard Aaron Nesmith.

Commercial

“I’m only thinking about the loss,” Cities mentioned Tuesday night time when requested concerning the damage. “I’m not thinking about that right now. It’s disappointing when you don’t get a win and we didn’t do enough to get the job done tonight.”

New York, which trails 3-1 within the collection, will look to stave off elimination Thursday night time at house in Recreation 5 (8 p.m. ET, TNT).

Right here’s all the pieces you want to find out about Karl-Anthony Cities’ injured left knee and his enjoying standing for Thursday night time within the Jap Convention finals:

GAME 5: Knicks host Pacers in must-win game Thursday

OPINION: Nobody will cease the Thunder from profitable NBA championship

Is Karl-Anthony Cities enjoying tonight?

Cities goes to play in Recreation 5 of the Jap Convention finals, in response to Knicks.. Cities went by means of his common pre-game routine minutes earlier than tipoff and didn’t seem like in any apparent discomfort. The Knicks announced shortly earlier than tipoff that Cities could be within the beginning lineup together with Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.

Commercial

Cities had been a game-time choice, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau instructed reporters Thursday round an hour-and-a-half earlier than tipoff. On the time that Thibodeau was talking, Cities was going by means of his pre-game warmup, sooner than he sometimes had carried out so. By the point media members had been allowed on the ground to look at pregame shootaround, Cities was wrapping up his session and

“He’ll be game-time, yeah,” Thibodeau had mentioned earlier than addressing the crew’s mindset if Cities could be unable to go. “Next guy get in there, get it done.”

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle mentioned he totally anticipated Cities to play.

The Knicks formally listed Cities as questionable on Wednesday’s damage report with a left knee contusion.

Commercial

The five-time All-Star has averaged 25.8 factors, 11.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists by means of 4 video games of the Jap Convention finals. He had a team-high 24 factors within the Knicks’ Recreation 3 comeback win, when he scored 20 of his 24 within the fourth quarter because the Knicks overcame a 20-point deficit.

OPINION: NBA’s cycle of superteams has been dismantled. Homeowners needed parity and acquired it.

How did Karl-Anthony Cities get damage?

With just a little greater than two minutes to play in Recreation 4, Nesmith fielded a move after which drove to the basket, the place he met Cities, who stepped as much as assistance on protection. Nesmith’s proper knee crashed into Cities’ left, sending Cities crumpling to the ground in apparent discomfort.

Trainers examined Cities on the bench throughout a timeout, as he continued to exhibit ache. Ultimately, nonetheless, Cities would return and would end the sport, one thing Thibodeau referred to as a “good sign” for his standing for Recreation 5.

Commercial

Cities, although, labored up the ground following the damage, clearly favoring his left leg. It’s an damage to the identical knee he had surgical procedure on to restore a torn meniscus in the course of the 2023-24 season when he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He missed a month, however was in a position to return for the playoffs.

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Karl-Anthony Towns injury update: Is Knicks star playing vs. Pacers?