New York Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina is expected to play Friday against the Brooklyn Nets after missing the previous two games with a left ankle injury. Ntilikina injured his ankle during practice last Saturday and returned to practice without limitation on Thursday. The ankle injury was the latest in a series of ailments that has limited the 19-year-old early in his career.
More on Frank Ntilikina Injury
Tommy Beer: On MSG broadcast, Frank Ntilikina says he is ankle is feeling “a lot better” and he thinks that he will be back “in the next couple days.”
Jeff Hornacek says Frank Ntilikina will not play on Tuesday against Boston due to an ankle injury. Ntilikina missed most of practice Monday but Hornacek said the rookie's lateral movement has improved and the Knicks hope to have him back for Friday's game against Brooklyn. Ntilikina has missed two games with the ankle sprain, which he suffered in practice Friday. He missed the final four games of the preseason with a knee contusion and the entire summer league with a similar injury. Hornacek said the organization isn't worried about Ntilikina, whom they selected with the No. 8 overall pick, being injury-prone. The coach said the 19-year-old's ailments are a result of playing with maximum effort. "He's playing as hard as he can .... I can't complain about that."
Ntilikina, who the Knicks took with the No. 8 pick, rolled his ankle when he was boxing out Willy Hernangomez during a four-on-four game Friday. Ntilikina laid on the floor and had to be helped to the locker room. He said he’s “a little bit upset” he can’t play, but he was relieved it’s not that serious.
Ntilikina said it didn’t swell up much over night. He ran during shootaround but he had trouble going side-to-side. He hopes to play Tuesday at Boston. “It’s nothing serious,” he said. “On the play I felt it a lot. Ten minutes after I was OK . . . It’s not as bad as it can be. I was a little bit scared about it. After the night I was confident it wasn’t very serious.”
Stefan Bondy: Source said Ntilikina simply turned his ankle and is feeling much better while getting treatment. Knicks listing him as questionable for Sat
During a competitive game of 4-on-4, Ntilikina hobbled off the floor before going to the ground, clutching his left ankle. The Frenchmen was clearly in a lot of pain and stayed down for several minutes. “Looked like I thought he maybe stepped on Willy’s [Hernangomez] foot,” Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said shortly after the incident. “[Frank] went to box him out and it looked like he stepped on his foot. Hopefully it’s not too bad.”
Barbara Barker: @Frank Ntilikina looks like he badly turned left ankle.
Ian Begley: Barring some unforeseen setback, both Frank Ntilikina (knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (hip) will play in the Knicks' season opener Thursday.
Ian Begley: Frank Ntilikina (knee) didn't participate in contact portions of practice today. Kristaps Porzingis participated in all of practice.
Porzingis, who has a sore hip, practiced on a limited basis with the team Thursday. Ntilikina, who has a bruised right knee, missed his second straight day of practice though he did shoot on his own for an extended period. Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek did not rule out an appearance by either player but sounded as if he’s inclined to hold both out so they are ready to go for the regular-season opener Thursday at Oklahoma City.
Ian Begley: Ntilikina (knee) did not practice today. Porzingis (hip) was limited to non-contact portions of practice. Noah (illness) did not practice.
The hope is Ntilikina, the eighth pick in June’s draft, will return to practice in the next few days and get on the court for the preseason finale Friday against the Wizards at the Garden.
Al Iannazzone: Knicks won't have Porzingis, (hip), Ntilikina (knee), Kuzminskas (calf), McDermott (finger) tonight vs. Rockets. But Ron Baker is available
Al Iannazzone: Porzingis will play tonight. Ntilikina is out tonight and it sounds like tomorrow too with a bruised knee.
Al Iannazzone: No Ntilikina tonight in D.C. and it sounds like he may miss the next preseason game Sunday at Nets.
Al Iannazzone: Hornacek said Ntilikina won't play tomorrow. He doesn't think it has anything to do with summer knee issue. Said he banged knees with Enes.
Alan Hahn: Ntilikina missed practice today with a sore groin. Doesn’t sound serious, but needs to show durability. Missed SL with sore knee. #Knicks
Frank Ntilikina was on the court running and doing some light shooting before the game, and working out after it. Ntilikina’s bruised right knee is improving but there is no guarantee he will play in one of the Knicks’ remaining two summer league games. The Knicks’ first-round pick hasn’t played in their first three — all losses.
