Can the Knicks reach the postseason without Porzingis?

Image source: dailyknicks.com

The New York Knicks are still trying to find a good, working combination in the first few weeks of the season, with new coach David Fizdale continuing to juggle the starting lineup. In a recent game against the Pelicans, Fizdale even started three of the team’s rookies in Kevin Knox, Allonzo Trier, and Mitchell Robinson.


The experiment of going small and young seemed to work until the fourth quarter when the team blew a huge lead and once again succumbed. The Knicks currently hold a 4-12 record which places them just three spots away from the bottom of the standings in the East. It doesn’t help their cause that there has been a resurgence of teams in the conference, with the Celtics, Bucks, Sixers, and Raptors becoming legit title contenders.


The team still doesn’t have a definite timeframe for the return of its injured superstar Kristaps Porzingis, who is recovering from an ACL tear. Though he seems to be recuperating nicely and starting to practice, the team is likely to lose a lot more games until his return. And perhaps by then, it will be too late for the team to even aspire for a playoff spot.

Image source: northjersey.com

The bit of good news (and a sliver of hope) for the franchise is that Porzingis’ absence is helping develop the play of Knox and Emmanuel Mudiay, while Hardaway Jr. and Frank Ntilikina continue to plug away. But there’s a big hole in the team’s middle that Enes Kanter simply can’t fill. Unless a huge turnaround happens sometime soon, even a Porzingis return early next year won’t save this team.


Hello, Janet Pribanichere and I’m currently studying public relations at the NYU. I like writing about New York sports. More info on my hobbies and interests here.