Ailing Porzingis, Noah getting MRI exams
BOSTON — The Knicks’ starting front court of Joakim Noah and Kristaps Porzingis not only missed Wednesday’s game against the Celtics, but the duo will have dueling MRI exams.
Porzingis, before missing his fourth straight game with Achilles tendinitis, indicated he will finally get an MRI exam Thursday — probably to make 100 percent sure there isn’t a slight tear that previously has been missed. The Knicks have called the injury a sore Achilles.
Coach Jeff Hornacek said Porzingis still feels “a pinch in his heel’’ when he tries to do explosive moves in practice. He has missed a total of seven games this season with the ailment.
“It’s still not there yet, have to be careful how explosive the moves are or I get a pinch again where the Achilles starts,’’ Porzingis said. “Hopefully after the next game I’ll be ready [Saturday vs. Phoenix]. I have to be smart and be 100 percent when I’m back.
“I hate to be out there with a suit. I look good out there but I hate being there especially in a tough moment like this.’’
Noah’s injury is new — a sprained left ankle — but tests Wednesday were looking for more. He sprained it against the Hawks on Monday and played through it. Noah said it swelled up Tuesday.
“It’s a frustrating situation,’’ said Noah, who missed his fifth game of the season.
Courtney Lee took a back seat to Ron Baker for a second straight game in the Knicks’ 117-106 win over the Celtics, but says this time he won’t risk posting a curious Instagram. On Monday, after Baker got the nod as starting shooting guard in the loss to the Hawks, Lee reacted to his benching by posting an Instagram picture of the two “Dumb and Dumber’’ characters.
Fans and media wondered if the “Dumb and Dumber’’ photos were aimed at Knicks coach Jeff Hor- nacek. Lee (nine points, eight rebounds, seven assists) deleted the posts, then issued an explanation, writing the photos were meant to symbolize his frustration with losing with a talented team.
Lee attempted to explain it again Wednesday.
“You post a picture with no caption and let them minds wonder, let them try to interpret it and let them assume what you meant, but when I did it, everybody was wrong,’’ Lee said. “I had to clarify it. That’s people that don’t know or have an understanding, they start assuming things.”
Lee said he hasn’t talked to Hornacek since the Instagram snafu, but added, “I don’t need to. He’s the coach. My job is to show up, be professional and play basketball. Whatever decision he makes as coach, who’s playing, what we’re running, is on him.’’
Hornacek said Baker, who finished with no points, one rebound and two turnovers in 11 minutes against the Celtics, did well in the Atlanta loss. Baker scored 12 points — all on 3-pointers — and led a 10-0 charge to start the fourth quarter. Nicknamed “Ron Burgundy” by Carmelo Anthony (13 points, four rebounds, three assists), Baker is favored by Hornacek because the floppy-haired blond reminds the coach of himself when he came out of college as an unheralded four-year player.