Kyrie Irving, Nets to visit Celtics for Christmas Day matchup

The banged-up New York Knicks are battling for playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, the Knicks are going to stay without a couple of key players for a while longer.

New York coach Tom Thibodeau recently said he didn’t have a timeline for OG Anunoby (elbow pain) or Julius Randle (separated shoulder) to return. Now, reports are that Anunoby may be closer to a return than Randle is. Anunoby is working through pain in his surgically repaired right elbow. Randle is still in controlled-contact practices, as he rehabs from his separated shoulder.

Knicks wing Josh Hart recently said that the team has to operate as if neither Anunoby nor Randle will be back this season. Hart said that if they do return, the Knicks will “be pleasantly surprised if they come back.”