Porzingis sidelined with achy Achilles

HOUSTON — The end of the year did not end on a good note for the Knicks. Kristaps Porzingis missed his first game of the season in Saturday’s 129-122 loss to the Rockets with left Achilles soreness, but is not expected to get an MRI exam.

Porzingis said he started feeling pain in his Achilles on Christmas Day against Boston, but it didn’t affect him in games in Atlanta and New Orleans last week. However, Porzingis said he woke up Saturday with a lot of soreness and wanted to rest so it won’t linger.

“After the game it was pretty sore,’’ Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said. “It’s tough to step up on. I don’t think it’s anything like a tear — just a strain. Hopefully he’ll be ready Monday.’’

Porzingis had said last week he hoped to play all 82 games.

“I started feeling it a couple of games ago, it was a little bit of pain and after [Friday] night’s game it was sensitive [Saturday] morning and I woke up and it’s best thing to do is rest it. I felt it right away when I woke up [Saturday] morning from walking around — sore and tight. It didn’t feel right.’’

Hornacek said with Achilles issues it’s always important to be cautious “especially when it’s someone as young as KP and tall.” Patrick Ewing tore his Achilles late in his career.

However, the Knicks coach hasn’t been shy about piling on excess playing time for Porzingis, who is averaging 34.8 minutes per game — up six minutes from last season.

“I don’t even know how happened,’’ Porzingis said.

An MRI has not been scheduled.

“I don’t think so,’’ Porzingis said. “The pain doesn’t seem something is wrong there. It just got to the point it would affect me.’’

In New Orleans on Friday, the 7-foot-3 Latvian had a poor shooting night (8-of-20) after which Hornacek criticized him for not driving the ball more on his mismatches and settling for “fadeaway jumpers.’’ Porzingis does not think he was affected in the game except feeling pain when he went up for one lategame dunk. it