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Akins Gone, Dante Down, Knicks Camp Takes A Hit

New York trimmed its roster and lost a big man to injury, all before the preseason opener Oct. 5.

37.7Brunson's scoring average, last 3 games
By the Knicks Nightly Desk · Tuesday, September 29

Jaden Akins is off the Knicks two days after he signed, and New York's active camp roster now sits at 21. Center N'Faly Dante, who joined that same week, is dealing with a right knee issue that keeps him out into November.

Knicks Nightly artwork
Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Akins Out

Jaden Akins left the Knicks on Sept. 29, just two days after he signed to fill out training camp. The churn leaves New York's active roster at 21 with the final camp spots still shifting.

Front Court Thins

N'Faly Dante, who joined the roster the same week as Akins, is now dealing with a right knee issue that will keep him out into November, with the Knicks eyeing a return around Nov. 2. Drew Eubanks is day-to-day with a thumb issue and could be back by Oct. 1.

Towns And Hart Speak

Towns and Josh Hart both addressed their contract situations at media day, five days after a report said Towns' extension talk had stalled. Nothing about either deal has moved since.

Preseason Opens

New York opens the preseason Oct. 5 at Philadelphia, then hosts Washington on Oct. 8 and Minnesota on Oct. 12 before closing at Toronto on Oct. 13. The regular-season opener is set for Oct. 20 against the 76ers on NBC and Peacock.

Bottom Line

Roster churn and an early injury are chewing into camp before a single preseason game tips off, and two contract questions still hang over the group defending a title. Brunson closed last season averaging 37.7 points over his final three games, exactly the form this team will need while it sorts out who's actually on it.

Is Jaden Akins still on the Knicks roster?

No. Akins left the team on Sept. 29, two days after he signed, and is no longer part of New York's 21-man camp roster.

When do the Knicks play their first preseason game?

New York opens the preseason on Oct. 5 at Philadelphia, with the regular-season opener set for Oct. 20 against the 76ers.

By the Knicks Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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