Austin Rivers to make Knicks debut against the Raptors on New Year’s Eve

Austin Rivers will make his debut for the New York Knicks tonight against the Toronto Raptors after he was upgraded to probable. 

Austin Rivers (sore groin) has been upgraded to probable for tonight’s game against the Raptors in Tampa.

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) December 31, 2020

Rivers, 28, has been dealing with a sore groin. He signed a three-year deal with the Knicks this offseason.

In fact, Rivers hasn’t even practiced with the team in a 5-on-5 setting, but he is confident he will be able to adjust well tonight. 

Austin Rivers says he'll debut for the Knicks tonight. He missed all of preseason and through now because of a groin pull. Hasn't even had 5-on-5 practice yet.

Rivers: "Just going right into it tonight. It's basketball. You just play hard. It's not rocket science."

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) December 31, 2020

The Knicks certainly could use Rivers, as they are without guard Dennis Smith Jr. and guard Alec Burks is questionable for tonight’s game with a sprained ankle. 

Frank Ntilikina will also miss tonight’s game with a sprained right knee, so Rivers should play a big role in his debut. 

Injury Report 12/31 vs Tor: Probable – Knox II (sore left knee); Questionable – Burks (sprained left ankle), Quickley (sore left hip) and Rivers (sore groin); Out – Ntilikina (sprained right knee), Smith Jr (left quad), Spellman (right knee) & Toppin (right calf)

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) December 30, 2020

The bright side for New York is that rookie Immanuel Quickley is questionable for tonight as he deals with the hip pointer he suffered in the season opener against the Indiana Pacers. 

While Quickley may not play, it is positive to see his status upgraded after he missed the Knicks’ last three games. 

Rivers’ return could change the Knicks’ rotation going forward. If he impresses, Ntilikina and Smith Jr. could become afterthoughts for the Knicks. 

Last season, Rivers averaged 8.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 rebounds per game for the Houston Rockets. He shot 42.1 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from beyond the arc.