Westchester Knicks 4-0-But Summers Injured
The Westchester Knicks are 4-0 and their completely revamped roster and new coaching staff has rejuvenated fans at the Westchester County Center. The local Knicks, the NBA Developmental League affiliate of the New York Knicks, outscored the Sioux Falls Skyforce, 34-21, in the fourth quarter to beat the Miami Heat D-League affiliate, 107-94, on Friday during a home game.
Nonetheless, the local Knicks third win and second home win of the season did not come without consequences. The Knicks leading scorer DaJuan Summers reached for his foot and fell to the court at the top of the key on defense with 1:41 remaining in the game.
Summers grimaced in pain as he lay on the court in the fourth quarter after posting his second double-double of the season with 18-points and 11 rebounds.
The Knicks forward was carried off the court by the team trainer and teammates ending his evening on the court.
Summers’ injury is to his left Achilles tendon; although the extent of his injury as of Sunday, Nov. 22, was not yet known. Summers is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Knicks, while averaging over 25 points and 10 rebounds per game.
“It sure does (take something away from our third win.) DaJuan is a great basketball player but he is even a better guy and you pull for a guy like that,” said Westchester Knicks Head Coach Mike Miller. “He is right there at the NBA level and when he went down our concern is his well being,” said Miller.
Summers’ teammates regardless of winning their third straight game were obviously distraught by his injury. Local Knicks forward Sean Marshall, the Player of the Game against the Skyforce with 20 points and six rebounds, spoke emotionally about his teammate after the game.
“Obviously the team is praying for him and hoping his injury is not too serious,” spoke Marshall. “We would love to have him on the team obviously he is a great player and even a better person in my limited time getting to know him. Hopefully everything works out.”
Summers did miss the Westchester Knicks next game, as they edged the Canton Charge, 86-85, on the road to improve to 4-0 this season. Knicks center Jordan Bachynski led all scores with 21 points, while securing eight rebounds and blocking six shots. Marshall had 17 points and six rebounds, while guard Wesley Saunders stepped-up in Summers’ absence adding 14 points and seven rebounds.
The Westchester Knicks remain undefeated so far this season and on top of the Atlantic Division in the NBA D-League. They have already proven that they can win on the road, which was a feat accomplished only once last season against the Charge on January 10, 2015.
The 2015-16 Westchester Knicks are not the 10-40 overall or 1-25 road team they were last season. The local Knicks are vastly improved. But if their top scorer Summers is sidelined for any length of time, it will be a devastating loss to the local Knicks.
