Ochai Agbaji is day-to-day after the Knicks held him out of Thursday's preseason game against the Wizards for coach's decision. He will sit out the 7:30 p.m. ET game on NBA TV as New York, which has not played a regular-season game yet this season, leans on its returning rotation.
What happened
Agbaji is day-to-day after being held out by coach's decision for Thursday's preseason game against the Wizards, according to the Knicks' injury report, updated at 6:23 p.m. ET on Oct. 8. He had no previous status listed on the report. Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reported that Agbaji, held out for coach's decision, won't play in Thursday's game against Washington. The report lists his expected return as Oct. 12.
What it means for the Knicks
The Knicks host the Wizards Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV, the same game Agbaji will miss, with New York at 0-0 since the 2026-27 season has not started. Last season he averaged 5.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 15.7 minutes over 62 games. In his absence, rotation minutes fall to Jalen Brunson (35.0 min, 26.0 pts), OG Anunoby (33.2 min, 16.7 pts), Mikal Bridges (32.8 min, 14.4 pts), Karl-Anthony Towns (31.0 min, 20.1 pts), Josh Hart (30.2 min, 12.0 pts), Miles McBride (26.3 min, 12.0 pts), Landry Shamet (23.0 min, 9.3 pts) and Mitchell Robinson (19.6 min, 5.7 pts). There is no record with or without him yet, since the regular season has not begun.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Agbaji's coach's-decision rest extends past Thursday. His expected return is listed as Oct. 12, with preseason games continuing before the Knicks open the 2026-27 regular season. Kevin McCullar Jr., Tony Bradley and Drew Eubanks are also day-to-day for coach's decision, and Jose Alvarado is day-to-day with a left knee issue, so New York's preseason rotation could keep shifting game to game.
Is Ochai Agbaji playing vs the Wizards?
No. Agbaji is day-to-day and was held out for coach's decision for Thursday's preseason game against Washington, per the injury report.
When will Ochai Agbaji be back?
The injury report lists his expected return as Oct. 12.