New York Knicks rookie R.J. Barrett is available to play on Thursday night at home against the Orlando Magic, the team announced prior to the matchup.
The third overall pick has missed the past nine games for the Knicks with a sprained right ankle suffered on Jan. 16 against the Phoenix Suns. Barrett practiced with the team on Wednesday and hinted that he could return to the lineup versus the Magic.
With Barrett set to return, the game on Thursday will be the first in which he won’t start after appearing in the Knicks’ starting lineup in each of the 41 games he has previously appeared in.
RJ Barrett is available for tonight’s game. Starters: Payton, Ntilikina, Bullock, Randle, Gibson
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 6, 2020
Barrett is averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and one steal this season for the Knicks. He ranks fourth in scoring among all rookies and sixth in rebounding.
Barrett was one of 10 first-year players selected by the NBA to participate in the Rising Stars Game on Feb. 14 at All-Star Weekend in Chicago. As a native of Canada, Barrett will play for the World Team.
The Knicks posted a 4-5 record without Barrett.
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