Frank may start later in season

Frank Ntilikina’s sore knee, which cost him the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Hawks, could keep him out of Tuesday’s game with the Bucks at the Garden. But coach Jeff Hornacek remains happy with the rookie’s development. He wouldn’t rule out the first-round pick from France becoming the starter at some point this season, either.

“We’re still always looking at that to see if the growth is there,” Hornacek said of Ntilikina, who is averaging 5.3 points and 3.4 assists in 20.2 minutes per game. “We’re still trying to give him enough time, Frank, to continue to grow and if there is some point in the season we feel let’s go that route, I think we’ll all feel he’s ready.”

Ntilikina, who is being listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game, is part of a three-man point-guard rotation with starter Jarrett Jack and newcomer Trey Burke. Hornacek has been using all three, but doesn’t sound ready to demote Jack despite Burke’s impressive play.

“I think Jarrett’s been solid all year,” Hornacek said Monday following practice. “You’re not going to get a spectacular highlight, dunks of maybe some [of the] young point guards. But he knows how to run a team. He’s thinking out there. ... He’s that thinking point guard that has done a great job in getting us organized in things and he’ll continue to do that.”

With guard Ron Baker (shoulder surgery) now out for the season, the Knicks coach said he may use Burke and Ntilikina together more.

In discussing Tim Hardaway Jr.’ s mental mistake of shooting when he should’ve brought the ball out following an offensive rebound late in Sunday’s loss, Hornacek also blamed himself for how the final few possessions unfolded. One play in particular stood out, when Kyle

O’Quinn missed a jumper with the Knicks up a point and 26 seconds left. Hornacek regretted not calling a timeout as the play broke down.

“It’s things we all have to take ownership with,” he said.