Knicks lose Bojan Bogdanovic to season-ending surgery on left foot
New York Knicks forward Bojan Bogdanovic (44) reacts during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Credit: AP/Mary Altaffer
The Knicks' playoff journey will continue after a Game 5 overtime home loss Tuesday night to the 76ers. But it will be without a key cog in Bojan Bogdanovic.
Bogdanovic will have season-ending surgery on his left foot, the team announced prior to losing Game 5, 112-106, of their first-round series with the 76ers. The Athletic reported that he’ll also have surgery to address a lingering wrist injury.
Bogdanovic left Game 4 on Sunday after playing just 71 seconds in the first quarter. He and Nic Batum were chasing a loose ball and Batum fell onto his leg.
The Knicks, who lead the series 3-2, added that Bogdanovic would be re-evaluated in three months. Coach Tom Thibodeau said it was too soon to say if he’d be available by the start of training camp
“It’s unfortunate. I thought he was playing really well for us,” Thibodeau said before Game 5. “Injuries are part of the game. Great guy, great worker. Just unfortunate.”
Bogdanovic averaged 10.4 points and shot 37% on three-pointers in 29 games this season after the Knicks traded for him in February in a deal with the Pistons. Next year is the last season of his two-year, $39 million contract.
It’s another blow for the Knicks, who are already without Julius Randle for the postseason. Mitchell Robinson missed Game 4 after suffering a sprained ankle in Game 3 but returned Tuesday.
As Thibodeau noted, surviving injuries is part of the Knicks’ story this season. They won 50 games in the regular season despite significant stretches without Robinson, Randle, OG Anunoby and more.
“You hate to see anyone get hurt, but it’s been our reality all season,” Thibodeau said. “Julius being out, Mitch being out, OG being out, Isaiah (Hartenstein) being out. Next guy get in there and get the job done. That’s what we need to do.”
It’s happened a few times this series. Deuce McBride had 21 points off the bench in Game 1 and added 14 more Tuesday. Precious Achiuwa didn’t play in three games but had a critical Game 4 effort where he played the entire fourth quarter and had five rebounds and three blocks in the Knicks’ 97-92 win.
“That's part of being a professional,” said Achiuwa, who started 18 games after the Knicks traded for him in December. “I pride myself in being a professional, coming in and doing what I have to do. And just when the opportunity comes around, taking advantage of it and play to the best of my abilities. To me, that's what it comes down to, just continue being professional.”
The Knicks will need that with the series shifting back to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Thursday.
Losing Bogdanovic puts more pressure shooting wise on Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart, among others. DiVincenzo is just 3-for-17 on threes over the last three games. Hart, meanwhile, saw his hot shooting fade the last two games, going a combined 1-9 from deep.
The Knicks will need more than that as they continue their season with another player sidelined for an extended stretch.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
