New York Knicks update Precious Achiuwa’s injury status

New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau offered a costly injury update as his team endured a four-game road trip.

While Thibodeau noted that injured interior man Precious Achiuwa has made “good, steady progress” and is traveling with the team, he hinted that the veteran is unlikely to speak during the ongoing tour, which reached the halfway point with a 128-98 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.

“He does a little bit more on the field,” Thibodeau said per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “Once a guy can start doing things on the field, he usually travels with us. Sometimes it’s better to keep him back (in New York) because we can do more rehabilitation work in the facility.”

Achiuwa, who signed a one-year deal late in the offseason after coming in a trade from the Toronto Raptors in December 2023, has yet to play this season after suffering a hamstring injury in the preseason finale against Washington on Oct. 18 . Originally listed as out for at least two to four weeks on October 20, with a reevaluation to follow.

The 25-year-old was brought back as interior depth after the Knicks’ paint job was partially ruined by the loss of Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson’s ongoing injury issues. Achiuwa was one of many New Yorkers who rose to the occasion when injuries ate away at the primary rotations last year, averaging 7.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in 49 appearances (including 18 starts).

The early returns from the Knicks’ revamped, rebounding corps suggest Achiuwa may be taking his time: New York (3-2) is allowing the fewest boards per game at just over 38, buoyed primarily by the efforts of Karl-Anthony Cities and Josh Hart, both of whom have averages above 10 to begin with.

New York returns to action on Monday night against the Houston Rockets (8:45 PM ET, MSG).

Be sure to bookmark All Knicks for the latest news, exclusive interviews, movie recaps and more!