GUARDED APPROACH
Hornacek won’t rush French rookie back
Knicks president Steve Mills, general manager Scott Perry, coach Jeff Hornacek and trainer Anthony Goenaga huddled for 20 minutes after practice to talk about Frank Ntilikina. The French point guard went through solo drills on the court after practice with the regime observing, chatting.
Ntilikina had a contact-less practice on Thursday and the 6-foot-5 rookie will likely miss his fourth straight preseason game when the winless Knicks (0-4) finish up the exhibition schedule Friday against Washington.
That will mean Ntilikina, suffering from a bruised right knee that was wrapped in a big blue sleeve, will go into the regular season next Thursday in Oklahoma City with just one preseason game under his belt.
Along with Ntilikina, Hornacek indicated Kristaps Porzingis probably will also sit out the preseason finale because of his sore right hip.
“I don’t know if either one of them plays at this point,’’ Hornacek said. “The swelling in [Ntilikina’s] knee has gone down. There’s still some soreness. We’d like to get him back as soon as possible, but he’s a young kid, so we have to make sure we’re doing the right things for him.”
It’s been a disappointing preseason for the Knicks’ No. 8 pick. Ntilikina played the preseason opener, shot 1-of-7, scoring five points with three assists. He held his own on defense and running the offense, but his durability is a major concern given his slight build.
The Knicks won’t rush Ntilikina into a preseason game, especially now that it’s clear Ramon Sessions will open the season as the starting point guard.
“I think when you start playing regular-season games, then the hope is guys know how to play when they’re a little sore as long as they’re not making it worse,’’ Hornacek said. “I think in exhibition season, we’re more cautious.’’
Porzingis hasn’t played since the first half of the Nets game Sunday. He then missed Mon- day’s Houston game.
Having Porzingis go against Washington in the final tune-up would be a boost in solidifying their starting lineup, but the Knicks have four practices before the opener against Carmelo Anthony’s new team.
“It would be helpful, but it is what it is,” Hornacek said. “If we can’t do it in games, we’ll have to do it in practice.”
Three starting slots were open entering training camp. Hornacek would not say his final decision but admitted, “Things are starting to fall out a little bit.’’
Hornacek is leaning toward a three-guard lineup of Sessions, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee. Essentially, Lee, who arrived at camp in excellent shape, will be Anthony’s replacement at small forward. However, Hornacek said he won’t go small against opponents boasting starting small forwards with size.
Enes Kanter, picked up in the Anthony deal, has appeared to have beaten out Willy Hernangomez and Kyle O’Quinn, though not officially.
Kanter, 25, has been forceful with his offensive rebounding and inside game and is more seasoned than Hernangomez. Hornacek also suggested Kanter makes a better tandem with Porzingis. Hornacek said Friday’s starting center would depend on whether Porzingis played.
“Kanter brings that toughness, that hard rolling to the basket,’’ Hornacek said. “That’s something that — if KP’s out there — might be effective. If our guards can hit him on the roll and get to the basket, then [the opposition is] going to have to do something, and they can’t really leave KP. That hard rolling will be critical for us to do.’’
A Hardaway-Lee pairing has been competent defensively.
“I think defensively they’re able to scramble and help each other out and they can switch,’’ Hornacek said. “There’s going to be teams where that can be tough to do. A big guy at the three spot, Tim and Courtney are only 6-5.”