This week Peter Botte (NY Post) reported that New York Knicks’ head coach Tom Thibodeau expects center Isaiah Hartenstein to return to the starting line-up after the All-Star break: “[Thibs] said he’s hoping at least Donte DiVincenzo (hamstring), Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) and Bojan Bogdanovic (calf) will be ready following the eight-day stoppage to return to the rotation against the 76ers.“
That’s welcome news, but the New York Knicks still need insurance behind their lead center. Third-stringer Jericho Sims remains unrefined and former lead-man Mitchell Robinson continues to rehab from ankle surgery. When Iron Man Hartenstein was recently brought low by his Achilles, New York signed favorite OAKAAKUYOAK Taj Gibson to two consecutive 10-day contracts.