Rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. has played a team-high 74 games for the Knicks this season, but he could be stuck on that number if his right ankle sprain is as bad as it looked Monday night in Utah.
The Knicks are listing Hardaway as questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Nets after he injured his ankle in the final 30 seconds of the 92-83 win over the Jazz. Hardaway didn’t rule out playing, but was hobbling severely in the locker room after twisting it jumping for a loose ball.
The former Michigan star has been arguably the brightest spot of the roller-coaster season and has a big ally in Carmelo Anthony.
“Don’t jinx me like that,’’ Anthony said when asked how much the Knicks would miss Hardaway. “If we don’t [have him], it’s a big loss, knowing what he brings, his explosiveness. He’s been playing very good basketball. We’re going to miss it.’’
The Knicks only dressed 10 players against Utah because Tour’e Murry had a stomach virus, Amar’e Stoudemire rested and Andrea Bargnani and Kenyon Martin have been out. They have an open roster spot since not renewing Earl Clark’s second 10-day contract two weeks ago. Had Clark been re-signed, he could’ve been on the floor during garbage time instead of Hardaway.