Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Listed questionable for Thursday
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Achiuwa (hamstring) is questionable for Thursday's game against Charlotte.
Achiuwa continues gradually ramping up for a Knicks' squad that could benefit from his depth in the frontcourt. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Monday that Achiuwa could be ready to play "in a week or so," which would make a return to action Thursday improbable -- but New York has yet to rule it out.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Practices with G League squad
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New York recalled Achiuwa (hamstring) from the G League's Westchester Knicks on Monday.
Westchester didn't have a game Monday, so Achiuwa, Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti joined the G League squad for practice and were recalled afterward. Coach Tom Thibodeau said Monday that Achiuwa is expected to return to game action "in a week or so," and when available, he'll likely serve as the Knicks' top reserve option in the frontcourt.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Closing in on return
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Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said Monday that Achiuwa (hamstring) is "getting closer" to making his season debut and could be ready to play "in a week or so," Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports.
Achiuwa thus looks likely to miss the remaining three games of the Knicks' homestand this week, but he might be cleared to play during the team's three-game road trip that begins Monday in Toronto. While Achiuwa likely won't have a sizable role waiting for him once he's back to full strength, he could end up unseating Jericho Sims as the top backup to starting center Karl-Anthony Towns.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Won't return Sunday vs. NOLA
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Achiuwa (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports
Achiuwa has increased his practice participation over the last week while recovering from a hamstring strain he sustained in the preseason. His next chance to make his 2024-25 regular-season debut will be against the Magic on Tuesday.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: To start practice soon
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Achiuwa (hamstring) is expected to be cleared to practice at some point during the Knicks five-game road trip that begins Wednesday, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
Achiuwa hasn't practiced since suffering a hamstring strain during the preseason, but he appears to be close to resuming basketball activities. Still, the 25-year-old shouldn't be expected back until December, at the earliest.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Remains out indefinitely
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Achiuwa (hamstring) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Bulls, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.
Achiuwa has yet to make his season debut and isn't practicing yet, suggesting his return to game action won't come for at least a few weeks. Jericho Sims has been operating as the Knicks' backup center to Karl-Anthony Towns.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Still absent from practice
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Coach Tom Thibodeau said Friday that Achiuwa (hamstring) hasn't started practicing yet but is making progress in his recovery, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Achiuwa has yet to make his season debut due to a left hamstring strain. The 25-year-old big man's next hurdle in his recovery will be getting cleared to practice. Until Achiuwa can suit up, Jericho Sims should continue operating as the Knicks' backup center to Karl-Anthony Towns.
Achiuwa sustained a strained left hamstring in Friday's preseason finale against the Wizards and will be reevaluated in 2-4 weeks, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
Achiuwa's injury is a huge blow to an already thin Knicks frontcourt with Mitchell Robinson (ankle) expected to miss significant time. Achiuwa's absence will likely open up playing time for Jericho Sims off the bench behind Karl-Anthony Towns. Furthermore, the club will likely have to take an extended look at its two-way players in Jacob Toppin (ankle) and Ariel Hukporti.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Back to bench Friday
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Achiuwa will return to the bench in Friday's preseason finale against the Wizards, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports.
Achiuwa got the start during Wednesday's preseason game against the Hornets, during which he produced a 20-point double-double with 16 rebounds. However, the starters are back with OG Anunoby (rest) and Karl-Anthony Towns (rest) running the frontcourt.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Enters starting five vs. Hornets
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Achiuwa will start in Tuesday's preseason matchup against the Hornets, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
With the Knicks deciding to rest their typical starters Tuesday, Achiuwa will enter the starting five. The big man is expected to serve as the club's backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns this season, at least until Mitchell Robinson (ankle) returns.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Returning to Knicks
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The Knicks re-signed Achiuwa on Tuesday to a one-year, $6 million contract.
Achiuwa was traded to the Knicks from the Raptors midway through the 2023-24 season. In his 49 regular-season appearances, including 18 starts, for New York, the 24-year-old big man averaged 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 24.2 minutes. Next season, Achiuwa should continue to receive primary bench minutes in the team's frontcourt rotation.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: To hit free agency
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The Knicks did not extend a $6.3 million qualifying offer to Achiuwa on Saturday, making him an unrestricted free agent, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.
Katz is reporting that the Knicks haven't ruled out the idea of bringing Achiuwa back, but right now they are prioritizing flexibility for their cap space. After being acquired from the Raptors last season, Achiuwa went on to make 49 appearances for the Knicks with averages of 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 24.2 minutes.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Heads to bench
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Achiuwa isn't in the starting lineup in Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Achiuwa will be replaced by Miles McBride in the starting five Tuesday. Achiuwa is averaging 2.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.7 minutes across his last 10 appearances coming off the bench.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Gets starting nod
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Achiuwa is in the starting lineup for Friday's Game 3 against the Pacers, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
Achiuwa will replace OG Anunoby (hamstring) in the starting five Friday. Achiuwa averaged 12.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 36.5 minutes across his previous 18 starting appearances this season.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Quiet night Saturday
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Achiuwa posted two points (1-2 FG), five rebounds, four assists and one block in 20 minutes during Saturday's 98-91 win over the Kings.
Achiuwa played fewer than 25 minutes for the third straight game, continuing his recent slide. With Isaiah Hartenstein rounding into form and OG Anunoby (elbow) back, it appears as though Achiuwa is now playing purely as a backup center. He can be dropped in standard formats if this continues for even one more game.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Back to bench
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Achiuwa will come off the bench for Tuesday's game against the 76ers, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.
No surprise here, as OG Anunoby is back in the mix for New York. Going forward, Achiuwa could be the first big off the bench for the Knicks with his versatility as a power forward and center.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Career night against Orlando
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Achiuwa accumulated 15 points (6-16 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists, five blocks and two steals in 39 minutes during Friday's 98-74 win over the Magic.
The double-double was Achiuwa's sixth of the season -- five of them coming since the beginning of February -- while the blocks were a career high. The 24-year-old big has started 17 straight games in place of OG Anunoby (elbow), averaging 12.8 points, 9.5 boards, 1.8 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 53.9 percent from the floor, but with Anunoby closing in on his return, Achiuwa's run of productivity could be about to end.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Efficient from field Tuesday
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Achiuwa recorded 15 points (7-8 FG, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 24 minutes during Tuesday's 116-100 loss to the Hawks.
Achiuwa missed just one shot from the field, and scoring figures aside, he delivered a well-rounded stat line with contributions in the five major categories. Achiuwa has done a solid job since being promoted to a starting role in late January. Even though he's starting due to absences from Julius Randle (shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow), Achiuwa is still averaging a respectable 12.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game in that 16-game span.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Pounds glass in win
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Achiuwa finished with four points (2-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 11 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 113-111 victory over the Pistons.
Achiuwa's 34 minutes exceeded the 27 minutes that Isaiah Hartenstein received, and while the latter has missed games recently due to Achilles soreness, Achiuwa appears locked into a sizable role in the Knicks' frontcourt. He ranks in the 86th percentile among all bigs for offensive rebounding rate, and his defensive versatility makes him a strong schematic option for New York, especially with Julius Randle (shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow) still out.
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Knicks' Precious Achiuwa: Impressive against Philly
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Achiuwa closed Thursday's 110-96 victory over the 76ers with 18 points (7-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-7 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 38 minutes.
With Julius Randle (shoulder) sidelined, Achiuwa has moved into a starting role, and there's no question he's made the most of the opportunity. Over his last 10 appearances (all starts), Achiuwa has racked up four double-doubles while averaging 14.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Achiuwa should continue handling a heavy workload as long as he remains in a starting role.
