Kristaps Porzingis expected to play Saturday night vs. Kings
Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Coach Jeff Hornacek said Friday that he expects Kristaps Porzingis to play Saturday night when the Knicks host the Kings at Madison Square Garden.
“He’s fine,” Hornacek said. “He practiced [Friday]. So . . . I think so [he will play].”
Porzingis missed Wednesday’s 112-99 loss in Orlando with ankle and elbow injuries. The Knicks had won three straight and six of seven with Porzingis scoring at a record pace, as he has all season.
In the Knicks’ first 10 games, Porzingis averaged 30.0 points. He set a franchise record by scoring 300 points in that opening span as the Knicks went 6-4.
When asked if Porzingis appeared to be feeling any effects of his injuries during practice, Hornacek said: “Not that I saw.”
Porzingis headed straight for the weight room after practice and did not speak to the media. He did, however, make an appearance on WFAN during Mike Francesa’s show on Friday afternoon.
“I’m feeling good, my body’s feeling good, I recovered from the little ankle thing that I had and the elbow is also feeling good,” Porzingis said. “The swelling went down, so I’ll be ready to go [Saturday], probably.”
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
