Knicks start fast but stall in loss to Pistons
Another clunker from Tim Hardaway Jr. and a second-half collapse doomed the Knicks in their home opener. New York led by 21 in the first half while riding the indomitable Kristaps Porzingis, but his star faded and the Pistons – behind Tobias Harris – stormed back to a 111-107 victory. With his father on the opposing bench as Detroit’s assistant coach, Hardaway Jr., who signed a four-year, $71 million contract over the summer, missed 12 of his 16 shots and finished with 14 points, two assists, one rebound and two turnovers. Through two underwhelming games this season, he’s averaging eight points and 1.5 assists while shooting 26 percent. “I didn’t get it done today,” Hardaway Jr. said. “I just have to find new ways. It’s still a new offense but I still have to find a ways to get to the line, get to the basket and finish while I’m there. I missed a lot of easy shots today that I wish I could take back. “I definitely could have helped more on that end of the floor.” Porzingis led all scorers for the second straight game, dropping 33 points in 35 minutes. But he also missed nine of his final 13 shots, including with 37 seconds left when he was blocked under the rim. At the time, the Knicks were down by only 3 and Porzingis passed up a trey to drive to the rim. “A few of those plays at the end, I got fouled,” Porzingis said. “Before the block (by Andre Drummond), somebody pulled my arm down. Obviously, it’s hard to see for sure. But I got fouled on that play.”
Harris dropped 31 points for the Pistons (11). The Knicks (0-2) came out firing behind the frontcourt duo of Porzingis and Kanter (17 points, 10 boards), building their largest advantage in the second quarter.
The Pistons chipped away, and eventually retook the lead – 8180 – early in the fourth quarter. Porzingis scored 23 of his points in the first half.
FRAGILE FRANK
Frank Ntilikina missed the game because of the sprained ankle he sustained in Friday’s practice. The rookie tested it in the morning shootaround but had problems moving laterally.
It’s encouraging that he’s at least attempting to play so soon after collapsing on the practice court, but the absence furthered his growing reputation as brittle. The 19-year-old said he hopes to return Tuesday in Boston, but injuries – which cost him all of Summer League and most of preseason — are clearly taking a mental toll.
“That’s frustrating when you’re trying to do something, you’re excited about being in the NBA, and you keep getting these nagging injuries that keep you out,” Jeff Hornacek said of the eighth overall pick. “The hard part is it keeps you out of practices. We’re going over stuff. He’s learning it, but you learn with going out with the guys. When he rolled it, you could see it in his face. Like, ‘Oh no, this is something that can keep me out again.’”