The Knicks’ top two rebounders coming into the year, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle, are sidelined along with OG Anunoby, but their replacement frontcourt carried the team’s league-leading activity on the boards in January over into the new month.
Isaiah Hartenstein, Precious Achiuwa and Josh Hart combined for 47 rebounds — including 19 on the offensive glass — as the Knicks won their ninth straight game Thursday with a 109-105 victory over the Pacers at the Garden.
“The ball comes off the rim, and we just all try to get it,” joked Hartenstein, who led the way with 19 rebounds — eight offensive. “No, it’s a collective effort. Just knowing that rebounding wins games, too … we take pride in that. And big ups to Precious and Josh, the way they’re playing on the board and defensively.”
The rolling Knicks, who led the NBA with 48.1 boards per game in going 14-2 in January, and their starting trio Thursday night nearly matched that total, with Achiuwa grabbing 16 (eight offensive) and Hart adding a dozen.
The Knicks finished the game with a plus-16 rebounding edge, 60-44.
“I thought they gave us great minutes and a lot of toughness,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “The rim protection was really good. I thought Precious, he had a tough matchup all night [against Pascal Siakam]. Initially, we didn’t know how much he was going to be able to play at the four [power forward], and he’s doing a terrific job.
“Isaiah is getting his rhythm back, a number of great hustle plays. … We’re asking them to do a lot, and Josh is playing every position on the floor. I don’t know what he is. He’s just a basketball player, and that’s what makes him great for us.”
Anunoby missed his third straight game with elbow inflammation, an injury that Thibodeau has labeled ‘day-to-day’ for four days running.
Quentin Grimes also sat Thursday with a sprained knee, an injury sustained in Tuesday’s win over Utah.
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