The Knicks’ longer-term injury situation isn’t quite ready to be resolved, but they should be getting back some of their banged-up regulars coming out of the All-Star break — and likely as early as Thursday’s road game against the 76ers.
The Knicks reconvened for their first of two days of preparation Tuesday night in Tarrytown.
And though their injured starting frontcourt of Julius Randle, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson still has not been cleared to practice, three players who sat out the shorthanded team’s fourth consecutive loss — last Wednesday in Orlando — were back fully participating.
Some or all of Donte DiVincenzo (hamstring), Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) and Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) are expected to be back in uniform against the Sixers.
“Yeah, I’m basing that on practice, but we’ll see how they feel [Wednesday],” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “They were here over the break. … And all three practiced today, so we’ll see how they respond.”
Taj Gibson’s second 10-day contract expired Monday night, and he’s no longer listed on the team’s roster.
The Knicks could re-sign the veteran forward for the remainder or the season, or they could sign another free agent to fill their open roster spot.
Randle was selected to the All-Star team for the third time in four seasons, but he did not attend the weekend while rehabbing the dislocated right shoulder he suffered Jan. 27 against the Heat.
“He’s doing well overall. He hasn’t been cleared to practice yet, but he’s meeting all the markers,” Thibodeau said. “He’s moving around pretty good. Just take it day by day, keep doing everything that they’re asking you to do. He’s working out twice a day, so he’s doing well overall.”
Asked if surgery has been ruled out yet for Randle, Thibodeau added, “I’m not sure, but I think the fact that he’s been working the way he’s been working, those are all good signs. I haven’t heard anything other than he’s making good steady progress.”
“That’s more of a front-office [decision],” Thibodeau said. “Obviously, we all feel very strongly about him, but we probably need a little more information in terms of our team, where we are and what the needs are going to be.
“Once we get through this next week we’ll have a better idea in terms of guys returning and that sort of thing. We always look at all the possibilities and whatever is best for the team, that’s what we’re going to do.”