NEW YORK -- The Knicks may be down to their fourth-string option at point guard.

Cameron Payne started Wednesday night's 126-113 loss to the LA Clippers with starter Jalen Brunson (ankle) and backup Deuce McBride (groin) both out, but he was forced to leave after rolling his ankle following a made basket in the first half.

Payne had played well to that point, logging 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in just 18 minutes of work.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game that he hadn't spoken to the team's medical staff yet to know the severity of Payne's injury and how much time he might miss.

With Payne out, Thibodeau handed the reins to rookie floor general Tyler Kolek, who has shown promise as a ball handler but illustrated defensive shortcomings in the third quarter. Clippers star James Harden repeatedly got wherever he wanted within New York's pick-and-roll defense -- a huge part of how they managed to pile on 40 points in that quarter.

"They kept coming at us with that high two-man game, and I've got to be better about defending that," said Kolek, who was held scoreless but finished with seven assists.

The injury to Payne, and the pileup of injuries at the point guard spot in general, comes at a tough time for the Knicks (45-27). Not only have they lost seven of their past 12, but they've struggled mightily against the league's elite teams overall and are running out of time to hit their stride before the postseason.

"Injuries always suck, and for some reason we just keep getting smacked with them at the same position," said wing Josh Hart, who figures to inherit more ballhandling responsibility in the short term. "We've got to piece it together and figure out a way to scratch out wins."

Thibodeau suggested that McBride, who is day-to-day, could be back the soonest of the point guards.

"It's possible [he could play Friday]," Thibodeau said.

Brunson hasn't played since hurting the ankle March 6 but is trending in the right direction. The Knicks are due to issue another update on his status in the coming days.

Thibodeau added that veteran Delon Wright, who saw action Wednesday after Payne exited, was next in line after Kolek to receive minutes at guard.

"We have more than enough," he said.