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New York Knicks: Hypothetical over/under scenarios for 2018-19

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 5: Kevin Knox #20, Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks hi-five each other New Orleans Pelicans during a pre-season game on October 5, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 5: Kevin Knox #20, Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks hi-five each other New Orleans Pelicans during a pre-season game on October 5, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 13: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Alternate crop) Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks is welcomed back after tearing his ACL previously in the season prior to taking on the Dallas Mavericks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 13, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Games Kristaps Porzingis plays: 31.5

Kristaps Porzingis will continue to be unavailable to the New York Knicks for the foreseeable future. Marc Berman of The New York Post previously reported the possibility of a return around Christmas Day, which puts this around the 30-plus game range.

It’s difficult to see Porzingis playing more than half the season, especially without a concrete timeline to come back. He’s only eight months into the recovery, and it can take up to nine to 12 months for anyone to properly rehabilitate a torn ACL.

There’s no reason to rush the Latvian forward’s return, either. He’s the face and future of this franchise, and a rebuilding year makes it almost meaningless for him to play at less than 100 percent.

Maybe the Knicks find comfort in giving Porzingis a run no matter how he feels, but a conservative outlook on his recovery seems best, for now.

Hypothetically, if Porzingis returns this season, it happens around the midseason point in total games, not the All-Star game. Though, with rest days added, he probably wouldn’t play 41 games. Not even 35.

31.5 games leave room for this. There’s also the possibility Porzingis never suits up, which makes the under unquestioned. Maybe he returns, plays 10 games and has a setback.

So 31.5 games might be generous, but if the Knicks have their superstar back in that Christmas time range, it’s a realistic over/under.

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