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New York Knicks: The dubious quest for playing time

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Allonzo Trier #14 and Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks converse during the fourth quarter of the game against Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Allonzo Trier #14 and Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks converse during the fourth quarter of the game against Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks will make a rare appearance on TNT for a national television clash with the Boston Celtics.

Fewer than 72 hours have passed since the New York Knicks dropped a game to the Milwaukee Bucks, but that didn’t stop rumors and speculation around the team. Whether it was Frank Ntilikina, Damyean Dotson or figuring ways to create cap space, it was almost anything other than basketball.

Though New York returns to the court on Thursday, Nov. 6, for a nationally-televised game against the Boston Celtics. It’s a chance to put some of the talk to rest, but only if one thing happens.

Ntilikina sat via coach’s decision the past two games, which he never previously did in 2018-19 or 2017-18, his rookie season. The Frenchman had consecutive scoreless games and watched his playing time tank, before the move to the bench’s end.

It raised a few eyebrows when Ntilikina never played after Trey Burke‘s knee injury, which happened in the first of the former’s benching. He didn’t appear in Monday’s loss to the Washington Wizards. Instead, Courtney Lee returned and received 16 minutes.

Per Barbara Barker of Newsday, Ntilikina had a rocky exchange with a reporter on his playing time. It indicated unusual frustration from the 20-year-old.

There’s hope, though, as head coach David Fizdale told Peter Botte of The New York Post:

"“Yeah, I think my actions speak for themselves. … No guy has gotten buried here,” Fizdale said. “If you’re available for me, I’ll use you. Just be ready to get out there and play well. Like Dot, there were a few ups and downs for him there, but he never let it bother him. He just came back and kept going."

Ntilikina won’t sit forever, but there’s no clear-cut player to take his spot if Fizdale stays with a concrete 10-man rotation. It only becomes more crowded when Burke returns from injury.

It will either take poor play from the Knicks, which could always happen against a surging Celtics team. This helped Burke and Dotson’s respective causes. Against a surging Celtics squad, who knows what could happen.

Beyond Ntilikina, there’s how much Fizdale plays Lee, who received crunch-time minutes in his season debut. He may bite into Dotson and Trier’s time, as the Knicks showcase their veteran guard for a potential pre-trade deadline transaction.

Attention will go on Kevin Knox, as well, who broke out for 26 points against the Bucks. He followed with 3-for-11 game versus Washington, but with nine rebounds and four assists, amid his own public criticism. Will the rookie from Kentucky deliver another standout game?

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Viewing information for the Knicks vs. Celtics is below, including the start time and TV info:

Date: Thursday, Dec. 6
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Boston, MA
Venue: TD Garden
TV info: TNT
Other: Watch TNT

TNT will host this game, allowing a national audience to tune-in. If not, it can be viewed on Watch TNT. Can the New York Knicks make it back-to-back wins over Boston?

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