The Toronto Raptors visit the New York Knicks on Friday at Madison Square Garden with both teams dealing with meaningful absences, even as the standings show very different pictures. Toronto is 45-35 and sixth in the Eastern Conference, while New York sits third at 52-28 and has already clinched a playoff berth.
The season series has also tilted heavily toward the Knicks, who have beaten the Raptors all four times so far. New York won the first meeting 116-94, then followed with three more comfortable results: 117-101, 119-92 and 111-95.
Toronto’s injury report leaves the Raptors without Chucky Hepburn, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Tyreke Key, Collin Murray-Boyles and Immanuel Quickley. Quickley’s absence matters most on the floor, since he has averaged 16.6 points and 5.9 assists while giving Toronto its best blend of ball handling and spacing.
That puts more pressure on Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes, who have carried the offense all season. Ingram is averaging 21.5 points per game, and Barnes has posted 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists, giving Toronto a strong front line even with the backcourt depleted.
New York’s report is shorter, but it still affects the rotation. Tyler Kolek is questionable with a right oblique strain, while Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson are out.
McBride’s absence removes one of the Knicks’ most useful perimeter defenders, and Robinson’s injury cuts into their rim protection and rebounding. That matters against a Toronto team that has won two straight, scoring 128 and 121 points in back-to-back wins over Miami.
The Knicks, meanwhile, enter on a 52-28 record with a recent home win over Chicago and a road win at Atlanta. Jalen Brunson’s 26.0 points and 6.9 assists per game keep them steady, while Karl-Anthony Towns’ 20.0 points and 11.9 rebounds make New York a difficult matchup if Toronto cannot protect the paint.
