Knicks forward RJ Barrett will sit out games through the All-Star break after suffering an ankle sprain last week against the Nuggets, according to Knicks beat writer Marc Berman of the New York Post.
RJ Barrett out until after the All-Star Break as he needs more time after ankle sprain caused by being left in the game by Tom Thibodeau with 18 seconds left. Nerlens Noel also out with his usual knee soreness. RJ didn't miss a game all last season. This will be his 4th straight.
— Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman) February 16, 2022
Barrett suffered the injury during garbage time of the Knicks’ 17-point loss to the Nuggets when Coach Tom Thibodeau subbed the third-year forward late in the fourth quarter while down 122-107. Despite having the 21-year-forward out to finish the game, the Knicks never closed the deficit. The decision has led to many fans and reporters criticizing Thibs, who has a reputation for the heavy minutes his players play.
“You don’t look backwards,” Thibodeau said per the New York Post. “There’s different points, you look at the score, the time, and if you can make a run, then you take a shot at it. So that’s what we did.”
Barrett will miss his fourth straight game when the Knicks play the Nets on Wednesday. Barrett didn’t miss a game last season.
