Nathan

Knight

Knight, who the Celtics signed to a two-way deal on October 22, did not appear in a game before being waived. The move frees up a two-way contract slot for the Celtics while allowing Knight to catch on a team that may need him more.

Knight has averaged 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.8 minutes across 108 contests in his three-season career, playing for the Hawks and Timberwolves. He’s not on the fantasy radar this season, barring injuries further up the depth chart.

Knight signed a two-way deal with the Knicks in July, and he nearly made it to the final roster. If he doesn’t find a new home, there’s a decent chance that he sticks around in Rochester to play for the Knicks’ G-League affiliate.

After spending his last two seasons with the Timberwolves, Knight is headed back to his home state. The Syracuse native appeared in 38 games last season, averaging 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.7 minutes. While the averages were pedestrian, Knight did have flashes when the Timberwolves were shorthanded in the post. With the Knicks trading Obi Toppin to the Pacers, there’s room for a player like Knight to hop into the back end of the rotation. That won’t impact fantasy basketball due to New York’s reliance on Julius Randle, but it’s an opportunity for Knight to show what he can do.

Gobert joins Naz Reid (calf) as Wolves’ frontcourt players on the injury report, and if one or both can’t go, Nathan Knight, Kyle Anderson and Taurean Prince would all likely see bumps in playing time against the Raptors.

Anderson left Friday’s matchup with the Magic early due to the back injury, and there’s a chance he sits Sunday. Taurean Prince logged 19 minutes Friday, and Nathan Knight picked up 11, so if Slow Mo is out of commission against New Orleans, Prince would be a serviceable streaming option. Rudy Gobert (groin) is also questionable, and his absence would free up even more frontcourt minutes.

Anderson, who took a hard fall during the first quarter, has struggled with back spasms at various points this season. Taurean Prince and Nathan Knight will pick up additional minutes if Anderson cannot return to Friday’s game.

Prince exited Saturday’s win over the Rockets with the sprained ankle, which meant more minutes for Nathan Knight. Rudy Gobert’s return will help with Minnesota’s frontcourt depth, so the Timberwolves should be able to manage without Prince.

Prince had to exit Saturday’s win over the Rockets early, as he aggravated his sprained ankle during the third quarter. He was one of the players Chris Finch turned to in his attempt to slow down Alperen Sengun, so it would help the Timberwolves if Prince were available Monday night. If not, this would mean more minutes for Nathan Knight, who scored 17 points in the second half of Saturday’s win.

Knight didn’t do much in the first half, scoring two points. But his play after halftime, combined with the excellence of Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell, is why the Timberwolves were able to hand Houston its 13th-straight defeat. Knight scored 17 of his season-high 19 in the second half, stepping up on a night when Naz Reid (five points, three rebounds, one assist, and one block) failed to have much of an impact in his 15 minutes on the floor. As well as he played Saturday night, Knight should be left on the waiver wire, as he played nine minutes or less in each of his prior five appearances.