New York Knicks: Who stepped up with Kristaps Porzingis absent?

Willy Hernangomez

With the New York Knicks trailing deep into the fourth quarter, Willy Hernangomez received a rare opportunity to play. He took advantage of his chance to get on the court, as he scored at virtual will against the Orlando Magic.

It wasn’t the most extensive appearance of his career, but Hernangomez played with a sense of urgency as he attempted to convince the coaching staff to give him more minutes.

Hernangomez played just eight minutes against the Magic, but he made the most of his time on the court. He posted a matching eight points, as well as three offensive rebounds, on an efficient shooting mark of 4-of-6 from the field.

It was far from a flawless performance, but Hernangomez entered the game and played with the type of energy that made him a fan favorite in 2017-18.

In a game during which Enes Kanter struggled to remain on the court, Hernangomez made a statement. This game alone won’t guarantee him minutes, but it was a step in the right direction for the second-year center.

The result could have been better for the Knicks, but seeing Hernangomez on the court was a silver lining in every sense of the phrase.