Derrick Rose's Impending Return Gives Knicks Sliver of Hope For Play-in
We’ve known this for a while, but the New York Knicks are a mess.
They are currently 3.5 games back of the Atlanta Hawks for the No.10 seed in the Eastern Conference, which is the final spot in the play-in tournament. Mathematically, there’s still a chance for the Knicks to make the playoffs. It is a longshot, but the return of Derrick Rose could give New York a much needed boost.
Rose has missed the last 30 games with an ankle injury, but is set to come back after the All-Star break. He’s started practicing – which is a good sign – and should make his return in the coming days.
The Knicks are a completely different team when Rose is on the floor. When Rose is on the court, the Knicks are +11, per CleaningtheGlass.com. That puts Rose’s number in the 94th percentile. He was the lone source of offense during the Knicks’ playoff run last year and his presence has been truly missed.
Rose will be stepping into a situation where Kemba Walker is no longer the point guard. The Knicks announced on Wednesday that Walker will be sidelined for the rest of the year. That gives Rose all the runway he needs to come back and do his thing.
ESPN Sources: The New York Knicks and guard Kemba Walker have agreed that the four-time All-Star will be sidelined for the remainder of the team’s season. Story: https://t.co/P98Qf8uJB6
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2022
Along with Rose’s return, comes R.J. Barrett. He’s missed the last four games as well. If those two players can return in a positive way, the Knicks’s season isn’t over.
According to Tankathon, the Knicks have the fourth-hardest remaining schedule. However, they still have three combined games left against the Wizards and Hawks – the two teams ahead of them.
Rose has been a spark plug for the Knicks during his time there. Hopefully he can be a life raft over the last 23 games.