Porzingis: I’m not enjoying the game right now

Knicks fans weren’t the only ones in a foul mood Friday night, Kristaps Porzingis, so beaten down by this losing season, lost the joy of playing the sport he loves, for one evening at least.

“I wasn’t enjoying basketball today — I wasn’t,” he said after the Knicks fell to the Nuggets, 131-123, at the Garden, losing for the fourth straight time and the ninth time in 12 games. “And I think that’s important for every time you step on the court. You should enjoy the game, and give the fans an enjoyable game, and I don’t feel like we did that tonight.”

Porzingis said his frustration comes from all the losing, not the messy Charles Oakley saga in which the one-time Knicks great was kicked out of the Garden on Wednesday night, subsequently arrested, and banned for the time being on Friday by owner James Dolan.

Porzingis described the Oakley situation as “sad,” but said he’s more focused on what’s going wrong on the court. He felt it from the outset. Nothing came easy, as the Nuggets ripped off 34 first-quarter points.

“It was like you’re pushing yourself, mentally and physically. We’re not at our best right now,” Porzingis said. “From the beginning, you go out there, you push yourself to the max. Things don’t come easy to you. Those guys are scoring unbelievably, and that brings the energy down. You have to find ways to fight.”

Porzingis was dominated by fellow European second-year player Nikola Jokic, who outscored him 40-17 and outrebounded him 9-4. Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek moved Porzingis to center to try to keep him out of trouble, but he couldn’t handle the more physical Jokic. Unhappy with Porzingis’ defense, Hornacek suggested the Knicks might have to play zone.

“The length should help. He should be quicker than that guy, so he should be able to get up on him,” Hornacek said. “He might get overpowered at some point, but a lot of his shots, [Jokic] just lined them up. Our guys think that’s that a challenge shot. We need to redefine what that is.”