New York Knicks: Mario Hezonja finds opportunity after extended benching

Mario Hezonja has become the latest player on the New York Knicks to perform revitalized basketball after an extended bench stint.

Mario Hezonja may not stick with the New York Knicks past this regular season, but he’s at least starting to make the most of an opportunity; one that arose as the Knicks blew a lead to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month.

2018-19 has not proven kind to Hezonja, shooting just 40.2 percent — which was below this mark for most of the first half — and a current career-low 28.7 percent on three-pointers for 7.7 points per game. He received 11 starts from November to December, but floundered scoring the ball and lost his job to the rising Kevin Knox.

The Croatian found himself benched for the majority of a five-game stretch, including sitting out New York’s Christmas Day loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. It seemed like a long journey to reinsert himself into the rotation, but head coach David Fizdale previously said, these imposed benchings are not permanent, per Newsday.

At the time, this was about Frank Ntilikina — perhaps the most prominent player to land in Fizdale’s doghouse this season. He returned to the rotation each time, though, much like Trey Burke, Damyean Dotson, and Luke Kornet.

With that return against Los Angeles, Hezonja sparked his own post-benching run to earn minutes, staying ready to average 12.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 50 percent shooting over the past five games.

Per Marc Berman of the New York Post, the 23-year-old stayed upbeat amid his streak of game-absences

"“I’m staying positive, working my butt off,’’ Hezonja said. “Talking to the coach’s during the game, seeing what is going on. I’ve learned couple of things being with Keith Smart, asking questions. He helped me a lot.”"

An opportunity to watch the game from afar seemingly helped Hezonja. He’s on the best stretch of his short Knicks tenure, which may be a showcase for his next team, whether that’s before the trade deadline or free agency.

Hezonja forced his way in not only with a meandering game, but previous circumstances. Ntilikina was out with an ankle injury, Mitchell Robinson missed that same game and Allonzo Trier struggled in just eight minutes.

Sometimes it just takes an opportunity, intentionally created or not, for a player to shine. It provided confidence to maintain playing time and while that may not last, given Burke’s inconsistent role, the Knicks can ride the hot hand and hope for development from a still-young player.