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Four Knicks Regulars Sit By Choice, Not Injury

McCullar, Bradley, Agbaji and Eubanks all sat for coach's decision, and the bench carried the load without them.

55Bench points in the loss
By the Knicks Nightly Desk · Friday, October 9

New York lost its second straight preseason game, 109-111 to Washington, after four rotation players were held out for coach's decision rather than injury. The reserves answered anyway, outscoring the starters 55-46 behind Landry Shamet's 13 points and Andre Drummond's near triple-double line.

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Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Four Sit, No Injury

Kevin McCullar Jr., Tony Bradley, Ochai Agbaji and Drew Eubanks all went from active to held out for coach's decision on October 8, each with an estimated return of October 12. None of the four is hurt. All four are targeted to be back for the next preseason game, against Minnesota.

Bench Fills The Gap

With four regulars out, Landry Shamet scored 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting off the bench, and Andre Drummond added 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Jordan Clarkson chipped in 7. The reserves finished with 55 points to the starters' 46.

Towns Searches

Towns managed just 8 points on 2-of-7 shooting with 3 turnovers, and Jalen Brunson's 13 came on 6-of-12 shooting. Josh Hart led the starters with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

Alvarado Back

Jose Alvarado's left knee is no longer a concern. He was cleared off the injury list in the same stretch the other four went on it.

Bottom Line

New York is 0-2 in preseason play, with three games left before the October 20 opener against the 76ers at home. The lineup question worth watching: whether Bradley, James Wiseman, Drummond or Towns settles in at center once the regulars return.

Why did the Knicks hold out four players against the Wizards?

Kevin McCullar Jr., Tony Bradley, Ochai Agbaji and Drew Eubanks were all listed for coach's decision, not injury, with an estimated return of October 12.

When do the Knicks play next?

New York faces the Timberwolves on October 12, then plays Toronto twice before the regular-season opener against the 76ers on October 20.

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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