Porzingis returns to lineup
MILWAUKEE — The nickname “The Latvian Freak” doesn’t have the same ring to it as “The Greek Freak,” but that doesn’t mean Kristaps Porzingis is any less important to the Knicks than Giannis Antetokounmpo is to the Bucks.
Porzingis, the 7-foot-3 phenom, returned as the Knicks snapped a six-game losing streak with a 116-111 victory over the Bucks.
The Knicks said they wouldn’t be desperate enough to roll with Porzingis full bore. Coach Jeff Hornacek said he would monitor Porzingis’ minutes because of the nature of the injury — a sore Achilles. Porzingis, who missed the previous three games, finished with 24 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
“We’re going to have to keep an eye on it, and he’s got to be honest with us,’’ Hornacek said. “If it starts to get sore, we’ll have to get him out.”
Porzingis, who said after the game he felt no soreness, said a minutes reduction might be best for now.
“I have all the energy from resting these days, [but] we have to be smart,’’ Porzingis said. “They won’t let me play as much as I usually do to make sure there’s not too much stress on the Achilles again.”
The big man played 30 minutes before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Joakim Noah, who finished with eight points and nine rebounds before fouling out, came off a solid performance of eight points, 16 rebounds against the Bucks on Wednesday.
“He’s lot more comfortable, especially defensively and being on guys and be vocal as he always is,’’ Derrick Rose said.
Brandon Jennings, drafted by the Bucks in 2009, said he wanted to re-sign with them in 2013 but got intercepted.
“They chose Larry Sanders over me,’’ Jennings said of the center who eventually quit the NBA. “The money gave they him, that’s what I asked for.’’
Bucks coach Jason Kidd all but walked away from his pregame interview when asked about the NBA ruling Antetokounmpo’s game-winning buzzer-beater was technically a five-second violation.
“C’mon. don’t ask,’’ Kidd said. “Have you seen it [called]? Then I haven’t seen it called either.”