The New York Knicks have done just fine without a consistent and quality backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns this season.

That doesn't mean that'll be that way for the entire year ahead, though.

With key injuries to veteran backups like Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks have had to figure out ways to placate the minutes left by them to Jericho Sims.

That may not be for long, though.

Following the team's 145-118 win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, head coach Tom Thibodeau gave injury updates to both Achiuwa and Robinson. Luckily for the Knicks, at least one of those players could be back relatively soon.

"Precious is doing pretty much everything now," Thibodeau stated. "He's gotten some contact. He's at the next step. He's getting close."

Achiuwa has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has cost him the start of the regular season. When available, he's an undersized albeit quality replacement for Sims if he were to get in foul trouble.

Robinson's the player the Knicks really need, though.

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Seen as one of the best defensive centers in the league, Robinson was expected to be out until the new year with an ankle injury. While he's made his way back to the team in practice, Robinson isn't ready to join the team on the court yet.

"Mitch, just having him around, he hasn't been cleared really to do anything other than the rehab part of it," Thibodeau explained. "But it's good to see he's progressing well, also. He's not as close as Precious is, but we're very encouraged with both guys."

New York is getting closer to having their full collection of role players hitting the lineup soon. When that happens, they'll be even scarier than they already are.

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