The New York Knicks are all set to return to action after three days. During this short absence, a lot has happened in the West as the race to playoff officially began. Meanwhile, the East’s top four spots remain untouched and probably will remain the same. However, the third-seeding Knicks have much to prove after an embarrassing defeat against the defending champs. Fortunately, they take on the under-manned Philadelphia 76ers.

The Sixers’ story of this season is pretty simple. Every time they head toward becoming a 100% healthy roster, one or the other player gets injured. That said, this time, the situation has gone out of hand, as the team has included 6 players on the injury report. Currently, the team has included primary offense machines like Joel Embiid, Guerschon Yabusele, and Quentin Grimes. Anyway, riding on an 8-game losing streak, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey will look to bounce back.

Do the Knicks have enough firepower to withstand them? It’s quite doubtful, as the team has listed two of its starters in the injury report. Considering the team’s thin depth, a disruption in the starting lineup could be costly for the New York side.

Especially, the team listed their in-form big man Karl-Anthony Towns in the Questionable category, citing a knee injury. On the other hand, OG Anunoby, the elite defender who already missed 5 games with a sprained right foot, might miss out on tonight’s action as the team has listed him as Probable, citing his foot injury.

So, the pressure will fall on Jalen Brunson to shoulder the team in Kat’s absence. Let’s look at the playing unit after the injury report.

Karl-Anthony Towns & Co. vs the 76ers: Starting Lineup and Depth Chart

Playing short-handed isn’t a new habit for the Knicks. Throughout the 2023-24 season, the Knicks made a conference semi-final run without a stable big. So, Coach Thibs will have his own ways to prepare the under-manned team to take on the Sixers. Moreover, the NY side isn’t far away from adding big man Mitchell Robinson into the starting up, gravely reducing Towns’ burden.

The New York Knicks

The Philadelphia 76ers

On the other hand, the Sixers, who had promised to make it to the playoffs, have shattered their fans’ hearts with the latest update. Joel Embiid will undergo another knee surgery that will keep him out till next season. So, the team’s championship ambition has abruptly ended. While they have nothing to lose, now, we can expect them to play without any pressure and express their true self. Can the Sixers defeat the Knicks? Let us know in the comments.