Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa defend the Knicks as Isaiah Hartenstein is hurt.

Although there have been several absences for the New York Knicks in the paint, two of their interior reserves played crucial roles in their team’s victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

After playing in 164 straight games, Isaiah Hartenstein had to miss due to a strained Achilles tendon. As a result, the Knicks had to rely on Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims to win 108-103. Achiuwa and Julius Randle shared the team lead in rebounds with nine, while Sims received the start and finished with six points, four blocks, and four rebounds in 27 minutes.

When Achiuwa was playing, the Knicks (27–17) were also a plus–13, which was best in the game. Achiuwa grabbed four of his nine rebounds in the closing frame as New York overcame a nine-point deficit to win for the fourth time in a row by outrebounding Brooklyn 16–10.

Randle called the accomplishments of the unsung pair “amazing.” Tuesday night was Sims’ first prolonged play since his ankle injury last month and his first start since December 18. Achiuwa made his first appearance in back-to-back games with at least 20 minutes played since he was acquired from Toronto in the original Anunoby deal.

“We had important minutes with Precious. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Randle stated, “Jericho gave us big minutes, protecting the rim.” “Jericho did a fantastic job in the first half guarding the rim. Precious is so good at being in the correct places, gaining us extra possessions, defending guards, and other things. That offered us a great deal of flexibility.

This season, the Knicks have had to rely heavily on their interior depth because of Mitchell Robinson’s chronic ankle injury and the uncertainty surrounding Hartenstein’s health. Achiuwa and Sims have done a great job holding down the interior fort in the interim, but it may force them to look for assistance on the trade block.

The Knicks, including Sims and Achiuwa, will return to action on Thursday at Madison Square Garden against the Denver Nuggets, the reigning champions (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG).

Tonight’s game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks appears to be entertaining and quite healthy.

The Nuggets’ injury report lists Vlatko Cancar, Collin Gillespie, Reggie Jackson, Braxton Key, and Julian Strawther as their five injured players. Due to left knee surgery, Vlatko Cancar is out; Collin Gillespie is out; Reggie Jackson is likely out due to a left toe injury; Braxton Key is out; and Julian Strawther is out because of a right knee contusion/sprain. Nikola Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets starting five should be available tonight.

Two players for the New York Knicks are listed as injured: Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein. Mitchell Robinson is sidelined due to surgery on his left ankle, and Isaiah Hartenstein is questionable because of left Achilles tendinopathy. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson are both indicated as availability tonight.

Although the Knicks and Nuggets haven’t played yet this season, the Knicks actually won the series last season. The Nuggets had defeated the Knicks in nine straight games before to last season’s series sweep, a run that dates back to the 2017–18 NBA season. Denver might want their lick back tonight if they’re paying attention.