STARTING SOMETHING
Mudiay may get nod over Ntilikina for Knicks tonight in Orlando
IT’S not official yet and Jeff Hornacek wouldn’t confirm, but it sounds like Emmanuel Mudiay will be the starting point guard tonight over Frank Ntilikina.
Mudiay, who had been practicing with the starters, was certainly under that impression when asked about the potential significance of being in the lineup.
“Definitely means something to me. I’m not going to take it for granted,” said Mudiay, who started for two sea- sons in Denver be- fore he was benched this year. “I came in as a lottery pick, so I was kind of handed the spot and stuff like that. So the fact that I’m in that position again, it’s a blessing. Thank God for it. I just have to take full advantage.”
It’s also possible that Ntilikina starts alongside Mudiay in the backcourt against the Magic, but that seems premature since it would require removing either Courtney Lee or Tim Hardaway Jr. from the lineup. Even under that alignment, Ntilikina would play more off the ball — which is not the position he was drafted eighth overall to play. Hornacek — who was given a directive from the front office to emphasize youth for the final 23 games — has already decided to bench Jarrett Jack and said he spoke with the 34-yearold about reducing his minutes.
Ntilikina was on a path to be the starter heading into January, but then he struggled during the road-heavy section of the schedule and the Knicks acquired two other young point guards — Mudiay and Trey Burke.
“I think he hit a little bit of a wall. The energy, and his knee (was hurting),” Hornacek said. “Hey, these kids come from another country. Now, all of a sudden, they’re having to travel every other day, play in games, and do all this stuff and he just looked exhausted at some times.”
Whether or not Ntilikina’s starting, Hornacek expects an uptick in minutes for the 19-year-old rookie. Still, it wouldn’t be a good sign if the Knicks decide to start Mudiay — who has totaled two practices with the team — over Ntilikina, who has been here since training camp.
“(Ntilikina’s) knee hurt for a while there, and that’s stuff we have to build up. And again, this is going to be great the last 23 games for him because we’ll see — can he play the 30 minutes without his knees hurting?” Hornacek said.
Mudiay, a 2015 lottery pick, is getting his second chance after his fall in Denver, and he has a lot to prove, even if the Knicks (23-36) would benefit from losing.
“I’m excited. It’s going to be a great challenge,” Mudiay said. “Physically, I definitely have to keep getting in better shape. So shape-wise it’s going to take a little time, but as far as just playing a lot, I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
KNICKS at MAGIC 7:00 on MSG