Jalen Brunson sat out Thursday’s 122-108 loss to the Mavericks, ensuring the Knicks were without any of their original starting five.
Brunson, who is labeled day-to-day, avoided a serious sprain when his ankle bent in the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s victory over the Grizzlies.
He sat on the bench during the game against his former team, which had both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving active.
Brunson joined an injury list that included Julius Randle (dislocated shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow surgery).
They were also missing the four players (including Quentin Grimes) shipped out in Thursday’s trade for Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks.
As a result, the Knicks had eight active players while starting Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, Precious Achiuwa and Isaiah Hartenstein.
They were hilariously thin on the bench, with only Taj Gibson, Jacob Toppin and Charlie Brown Jr. available.
“But we have more than enough,” Thibodeau said while smiling.
Reinforcements are arriving via trade for the next game Saturday against the Pacers, then the All-Star break begins next week.
“Whatever your circumstances are, you’ve gotta make the best of ’em,” Thibodeau said. “The break seems like it’s later in the year now, but it’s fine. Just navigate it. Whenever someone goes out, it’s an opportunity for someone else to get in there and get more experience, and so I think it’s worked out well for Isaiah. I think we’re finding out more about Precious. It’s a good opportunity for Deuce [McBride]. I try to look at it in a positive way — unlike you guys [the media].”
Hart said he hyperextended his knee in Tuesday’s win over the Grizzlies but was one of the Knicks available against the Mavs.
“I’m tired, boss. That’s how I’m feeling,” said Hart, who entered Thursday on a five-game streak of playing 37 minutes or more. “But nah, I’m cool. Knee is good. It was just [McBride] trying to take a charge or something and he fell into it, so it kinda hyperextended for a second but it’s good.”
Thursday’s trade for Bogdanovic and Burks added to the roster crunch since neither could make it to the Mavs’ game, but Hart was happy about the long-term effects.
“I think Leon [Rose] and the front office was cooking today,” Hart said.