REPORT: RJ Barrett Out Through All-Star Break With Ankle Injury

Knicks forward RJ Barrett will sit out games through the All-Star break after suffering an ankle sprain last week against the Nuggets, according to Knicks beat writer Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Barrett suffered the injury during garbage time of the Knicks’ 17-point loss to the Nuggets when Coach Tom Thibodeau subbed the third-year forward late in the fourth quarter while down 122-107. Despite having the 21-year-forward out to finish the game, the Knicks never closed the deficit. The decision has led to many fans and reporters criticizing Thibs, who has a reputation for the heavy minutes his players play.

“You don’t look backwards,” Thibodeau said per the New York Post. “There’s different points, you look at the score, the time, and if you can make a run, then you take a shot at it. So that’s what we did.” 

Barrett will miss his fourth straight game when the Knicks play the Nets on Wednesday. Barrett didn’t miss a game last season.