Precious

Achiuwa

Hart is back with the team after missing Thursday’s win over the Timberwolves to attend to a personal matter. His return means fewer minutes for Precious Achiuwa, who recorded a double-double on Thursday, starting alongside Karl-Anthony Towns.

Achiuwa started Thursday’s game for Josh Hart, who is away from the team for personal reasons. And he had a productive night at the office, recording his first double-double of the season. While his season-long fantasy value remains low due to his late start and place within a complete Knicks rotation, Achiuwa is worth streaming until Hart returns, especially for managers needing rebound production.

The Knicks are without Josh Hart, who is not with the team for personal reasons. Tom Thibodeau has decided to go with a bigger lineup, starting Achiuwa due to a need to match up with Julius Randle. Achiuwa will have deep-league streaming value in this spot, as will reserve guard Miles McBride.

Hart will miss is first game of the season on Thursday. The Knicks swingman has been a key do-it-all player for New York and could be replaced by Miles McBride or Precious Achiuwa as a starter if Mikal Bridges or OG Anunoby assume his small forward spot in the lineup.

Hukporti is on track to miss Sunday’s game, which will not impact fantasy basketball. Precious Achiuwa will continue to play most of the minutes behind Karl-Anthony Towns, with Jericho Sims next in line.

Despite the recent knee troubles, Towns played 36 minutes in Monday’s win over the Raptors. Fantasy managers should expect him to take on a similar workload against the Hawks, with Precious Achiuwa as the backup. If Towns cannot play, Achiuwa is the player worth streaming.

KAT missed their last game, which allowed Jericho Sims to start in his place. Precious Achiuwa and Airel Hukporti also played extended minutes off the bench, but with KAT back none of them will play enough of a role to provide any real fantasy value.

Towns sat out Saturday’s loss to the Pistons, with Jericho Sims replacing him in the starting lineup. However, Sims would not be worth streaming if KAT cannot play in Toronto. He was ineffective in six first-quarter minutes on Saturday and did not return, with Precious Achiuwa (27 minutes) and Ariel Hukporti (15) playing the remaining minutes at center. Achiuwa will be the best streaming option of the three.

With Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) sidelined, Sims received the starting nod on Saturday. To say it didn’t go well would be an understatement. The Knicks backup played six minutes and wasn’t seen again, with Precious Achiuwa (six points, 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 27 minutes) starting the third quarter. Also outplaying Sims was rookie Ariel Hukporti, who contributed nine points, two rebounds, and two assists in 15 minutes. There’s no need to consider streaming Sims if Towns remains sidelined for Monday’s game in Toronto.

KAT is a late addition to the injury report, and if he is forced to miss this game, Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims will be the two center options for New York in this game. Achiuwa should start and be the better streaming option.