The surging New York Knicks have benefitted this season from playing teams missing their stars.
Their last win — an emphatic 109-94 rout — over erstwhile league leader Boston Celtics earlier this week came without All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, who was out due to personal reasons.
LaMelo Ball, who had surgery to repair his right ankle, will also be out when the Knicks host the Charlotte Hornets next Tuesday. Five days later, on a second night of a back-to-back schedule on the road, the Knicks will again have that advantage against the Los Angeles Lakers, who will miss their superstar LeBron James.