On December 12, Beijing time, according to the famous NBA reporter Shams, Knicks player RJ Barrett triggered a health and safety agreement and will miss the game against the Bucks.
Barrett has averaged 15.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season, and for the Knicks, who have triggered the league's health and safety deal and will miss games with the Bucks, now with Barrett, Thibodeau's team is really worse. Without these two players, the Knicks may have a hard time beating the Bucks, and their losing streak may continue.
Even more worrying is the situation in the Knicks' locker room today. According to The New York Post reporter Marc Berman, a source revealed that the Knicks' leadership in the locker room today is very problematic, especially the team's core player Randall, who likes to be alone in the locker room.
This summer, Randle signed a four-year, $117 million early contract extension with the Knicks, and his contract doesn't expire until 2026, but after signing a big contract, Randle's performance has plummeted, and although he averaged 19.5 points, 10 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season, he only shot 43% from the field and averaged 3.27 turnovers per game.
Compared to last season, Randle averaged nearly five fewer points per game, shooting a 3 percent drop, an 8 percent drop in three-point shooting, and a decline in rebounds and assists.
Originally, in the case of Randle's poor performance, Barrett and Topping were highly expected by Knicks fans, but now the two have triggered health and safety agreements, which is undoubtedly a huge blow to the Knicks. They were the dark horses of the East last season, and whether they can still make the playoffs or even the playoffs this season is probably doubtful.