A key part of the Knicks’ second unit could be out for as long as a month.
Precious Achiuwa is dealing with a strained left hamstring injury and will miss two-to-four weeks, the team announced on Sunday, two days before the Knicks are set to start the regular season in Boston against the defending champion Celtics.
The 6-foot-8 Achiuwa suffered the injury in Friday’s preseason game against the Wizards.
Losing Achiuwa is a significant hit to the Knicks, who are already short on depth. He was set to be one of their top reserves, along with Miles McBride.
Another projected bench player, Landry Shamet, suffered a dislocated shoulder and was waived on Saturday. By doing so, the Knicks decided against guaranteeing him a contract while waiting for him to rehab the injury.
For now, the bench will likely look like McBride, Cam Payne and either Jericho Sims or Ariel Hukporti. Rookie Tyler Kolek could also figure into the rotation. But that group is very short on forward depth.
The Knicks currently have 12 players on guaranteed contracts ahead of Tuesday’s opener against the Celtics. Teams are allowed to have fewer than 14 on their roster for no more than 28 total days during the regular season and 14 consecutive days at any time.
The Knicks currently are about $3.58 million below the second salary-cap apron, so they have flexibility to add a player.
They certainly could use a forward after this news.