PAINFUL EXIT: With Rasheed Wallace, who announced his retirement yesterday, looking on from the bench, Knicks point guard Pablo Prigioni sprains his ankle in last night’s 98-92 victory over the Hawks in the regular-season finale at the Garden. (AP)
While their frontcourt had been a mess, the Knicks’ backcourt actually had been healthy until last night. But now starting guard Pablo Prigioni’s playoff status is in doubt.
Prigioni sprained his right ankle in the final game of the regular season — a meaningless one for the Knicks — and could play only 11 minutes in a 98-92 win over the Hawks. Prigioni’s X-rays were negative, but with the playoffs beginning Saturday, will his ankle be sturdy enough to play? And play effectively?
“Don’t know,” Knicks coach Mike Woodson said of Prigioni’s Game 1 availability. “I really don’t know.”
The 36-year-old Prigioni isn’t an indispensable player, but he has started the last 18 games, with the Knicks 16-2 during that stretch. In the 18-game span, the Argentinian rookie has averaged 4.1 points and 3.4 assists, shooting 52 percent from the field and 46 percent from 3-point range.
If Prigioni can’t play Saturday against Boston, the Knicks would presumably re-insert Jason Kidd into the starting lineup.
“To lose [Prigioni] and his energy and his defense and just his vision on the court would be huge,” Steve Novak said, though he added, “I don’t think that’s the case.”
Prigioni wasn’t supposed to start last night, but Raymond Felton was scratched before the game, with Prigioni replacing him. He joined a unique starting lineup that included James White, Chris Copeland and Earl Barron (who signed with the Knicks yesterday).
Copeland, who had a career-high 32 points on Monday, poured in 33 last night and said he was OK despite his left shoulder popping out. Barron racked up 11 points and 18 rebounds, while Iman Shumpert had 18 points, eight assists and seven rebounds before suffering a cramp. The Knicks only used seven players.