Knicks Injuries: Will RJ Barrett Return on Wednesday in Indiana?

The New York Knicks' aura of caution is extending to RJ Barrett, who will miss his second straight game.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks are taking no chances when it comes to their available assets and the NBA Playoffs.

New York announced that RJ Barrett (illness) would miss his second consecutive game on Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers. Barrett joins fellow starter Jalen Brunson on New York's precautionary injury report as they play out a meaningless three-game stretch before the first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers arrives.

Regular injury replacement Immanuel Quickley will once again leap into the starting lineup and will be joined by Josh Hart, who will make his first start in blue and orange after coming over in a February deal with Portland. 

Barrett is averaging 19.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in his fourth season in New York. The upcoming series against the Cavs will be a major opportunity for Barrett to prove himself on the elite basketball level, as the Knicks opted to extend his contract rather than include him in a trade for current Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell. 

With the Knicks locked into their spot on the playoff bracket and the Pacers perhaps perfectly content with losing so as to improve their top pick odds at the NBA Draft Lottery, star power has dimmed dramatically at Gainbridge Fieldhouse: in addition to the lack of Brunson and Julius Randle, there will be no Tyrese Haliburton or Myles Turner for the hosting Pacers. 

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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