New York Knicks: Ovation-worthy return provides positives in latest loss

The New York Knicks faced a double-digit deficit for most of the way against the Brooklyn Nets, but a fourth-quarter outburst provided notable results.

For the past week, there was less talk on the actual games and ample discussion on where Frank Ntilikina stood in the New York Knicks rotation. He sat the previous three games, due to poor performances, including back-to-back scoreless games.

After the first half, it seemed head coach David Fizdale was set to bench Ntilikina for a fourth consecutive game. The Frenchman was set to return “soon,” but a timetable never received elaboration.

Well, more than midway into the third quarter, Fizdale called Ntilikina’s name, and he never left the game.

Ntilikina lacked aggressiveness in the first quarter of the season, but it didn’t seem to be an issue upon return. He found multiple drives to the lane, opening the offense for his teammates with three assists.

This resulted from Fizdale utilizing Ntilikina as the primary ball handler, as well, unlike his stint as a reserve. The Madison Square Garden crowd even applauded his first carry-up of the ball.

Along with seven points and a three-pointer, Ntilikina finished with seven points on 3-for-6 shooting. About as positive of a night as he could have, staying fresh for whenever the opportunity arose.

It put to bed doubts of Ntilikina’s role in the rotation. This performance should keep him in it for the foreseeable future. Who leaves it, though, if anyone, will be interesting. Everyone else who played Saturday night had 20 minutes, except for Courtney Lee‘s three.

As for the rest of the game, the Knicks fell to the Brooklyn Nets, 112-104. Ntilikina’s entrance contributed to the late-game surge that brought New York to within a few points, including playing with the 2017-18 draft lineup of Damyean Dotson, Allonzo Trier, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox down the stretch.

• Before the kids took over, Enes Kanter was on his way to a 20-point, 20-rebound game. He finished with 23 points and 14 assists in 26 minutes.
• Tim Hardaway Jr. had yet another poor shooting night. He went just 2-for-12 for seven points, and has now shot above 40 percent just once since Nov. 21.
• As noted, Lee played just three minutes. His on-court time, while only across three games, has declined with each appearance. It might be nothing, but the Knicks have a crowded rotation.
• Robinson showed off his freakish length twice, using those long arms to make two baskets look easier than they should have been:

• The Knicks were a putrid 18-for-30 from the free throw line. They had an opportunity to add to their late-game run and make this even more interesting, but that never happened.
• A non-Knicks highlight: Spencer Dinwiddie was incredible for the Nets. He had 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting and acted as a one-man wrecking crew down the stretch, keeping Brooklyn’s lead at an arm’s distance.

The New York Knicks have a quick turnaround, returning to the court on Sunday, Dec. 9, to face the Charlotte Hornets at home. Game time is at 7:30 p.m. ET on MSG Networks.