Knicksnotes
Kristaps Porzingis is gone for the season, but Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek won’t be going anywhere.
There were previous indications from team brass Hornacek wouldn’t be evaluated until after this season despite the clamor from the fan base that has watched the Knicks slide to a season-worst 23-32 record. Now Knicks general manager Scott Perry confirmed as much Wednesday.
“No, we’re not looking to make any changes,’’ Perry said in his first remarks to the media since early December. “We’re evaluating the entire season. Jeff and his group are working really hard with this basketball team and doing the very best they can, and obviously this is an adversity for them to deal with KP being out, but I’m confident that they’ll be able to do a good job of keeping this team playing hard and playing together. That’s what we’ll be looking at moving forward.’’
Will Hornacek still be around to coach Porzingis when he returns — possibly a few months into next season? That’s wide open. Hornacek has just one year left on his pact.
Mark Jackson is an obvious candidate to be the Knicks next coach, as team president Steve Mills wanted to interview him in 2014 before Phil Jackson hired Derek Fisher. Doc Rivers could spring free with the Clippers’ tricky post-Blake-Griffin situation. Mike Brown is doing a lot of winning as an assistant in Golden State and former Cavaliers coach David Blatt is one of Mills’ closest friends.
Hornacek’s relationship with Porzingis last season was less than ideal, but that may not loom as large a factor after Porzingis’ ACL tear and his uncertain status for next season. Things have improved between the two.
After getting his MRI result late Tuesday, Porzingis trekked back to the Garden and met with Hornacek.
“He’s devastated he has that injury, and so are we,’’ Hornacek said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s obviously hurt by it. It’s shocking news. He had such a great year, and we’re trying to grow with him. He’ll be back as strong as ever. You know he’s a hard worker and wants to become a great player in this league.’’
The Knicks are 4 ¹/2 games out of the playoff race, in 11th place, but the Porzingis injury has shifted the team’s focus in looking more at the younger players. Hornacek and Perry said the combination of the Willy Hernangomez trade and Porzingis injury will give chances to two-way G-League big men Isaiah Hicks and Luke Kornet.
“We can see what they do against NBA guys,’’ Hornacek said “We see some of it because they practice with us. Unfortunately it comes at the expense of a trade and KP’s injury. If we look at the little bright side, those guys will get an opportunity so that when KP does come back, we’ll all be better.”
Enes Kanter, a day after undergoing oral surgery because stitches in his lip kept coming loose, will miss Thursday’s game in Toronto.