Frank stays in as Elfrid heals
The Frank Ntilikina show will continue. An ultrasound determined that point guard Elfrid Payton’s hamstring strain still hasn’t healed, and the point guard will miss at least the next five games before another reevaluation.
In Payton’s absence — which has reached 10 games and counting — Ntilikina has emerged as the clear starter while logging consistent minutes at point guard for the first time in his career.
With the Knicks winning two of their last three games, coach David Fizdale said he’s sticking with same starting lineup — Ntilikina, RJ Barrett, Marcus Morris, Julius Randle, Taj Gibson — for the seventh straight time tonight in Philly.
“We’re not going to change anything right now,” Fizdale said. “The team is starting to show some consistency. I think guys are starting to feel comfortable in the place they are playing at. Hopefully we can keep building on that.”
Payton, who was signed in the summer on a two-year, $16 million deal (second year is team option), started three consecutive games before the injury. He missed 59 games over the previous two seasons with the Pelicans, Suns and Magic.
“It’s a frustrating process. Like I said at the beginning of this whole thing, those hamstrings are funny,” Fizdale said. “It’s one of those injuries where you just never know how it’s going to turn out. So, he’s gonna get in a positive place though and he’s going to keep working to get back. And we’ll hold down the fort until he does.”
Ntilikina, meanwhile, has formed a firm grip on the starting spot partly because of his defense and the struggles of backup Dennis Smith Jr., who is averaging 3.7 points on 28% shooting.
PHILLY SPECIAL
Marcus Morris is returning home on a hot streak with plenty of ticket requests.
The Philadelphia native said he’ll have about 50 friends and family inside the Wells Fargo Center for tonight’s game against the Sixers.
Does he have to pay for them?
“For the most part,” Morris said. “Now, too, because of Wayne (Ellington), he’s from Philly, too. So we split them. It’s always good to go home. I’m so close now that my family can come here and see me. It’s going to be fun.”
Morris has been the Knicks’ most consistent offensive player this season while averaging 18.6 points on 41% shooting. He’s also one of the more experienced alongside Taj Gibson.
“I can’t rave about his leadership enough. I think he’s an excellent leader,” Fizdale said. “I’ve been around some great basketball leaders and he is an excellent leader. One of the best I’ve been around. All these guys respect him.”
GETTING IGGY WITH IT
Rookie Ignas Brazdeikis dropped 36 points in a G League appearance for Westchester on Monday night.
The second-round pick out of Michigan hasn’t cracked the Knicks’ rotation and it’s likely he spends more time in the G League.
“He’s just going to keep getting better and better and I think mixing him back-andforth to the G League is going to help with his confidence,” Fizdale said.