Ntilikina sits out with sore groin
Dennis Smith Jr. and Damyean Dotson appear set to make their preseason debuts Wednesday against the Hawks.
Frank Ntilikina may not be able to join them.
While Smith (strained lower back) and Dotson (shoulder) practiced fully for the second straight day, Ntilikina was held out of Monday’s session with a sore groin.
The Frenchman was limited to 43 games in his second year, including missing 30 of the team’s final 32 games with a groin injury, but the Knicks believe Ntilikina’s current ailment isn’t as serious.
“I think we’re still in that realm of we would rather err on the side of caution than try to push something when a guy feels something, especially in the preseason,” coach David Fizdale said. “We’ll re-evaluate him [Tuesday] and see where he’s at.”
Coming off a strong summer in helping France claim bronze at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Ntilikina shot 5-for-17 from the field in the first two preseason games, while averaging 4.5 rebounds and three assists and posting a team-best plus-16.
➤ Kevin Knox (calf ) — along with Allonzo Trier (strained neck) — was limited in Monday’s practice, but the 20-year-old forward could return Wednesday after missing Friday’s loss to the Wizards.
“I’m getting better every single day,” Knox said. “Just a weird accident, happened in the game, but I’ve been practicing lately, getting my treatment. ... I feel good. I think I can possibly play Wednesday.”
If Knox is back, he knows he is likely to play behind Marcus Morris. Last year’s lottery pick came off the bench in the preseason opener — scoring 12 points, with seven rebounds — and Knox said his only issue with the role is the unfamiliarity.
“I never did [it], so it will be a different experience for me if that happens,” Knox said. “It’s definitely going to be tougher. Because you start the game off, get the flow of the game, get your blood going, stuff like that. So starting on the bench, it’s going to be a little different for me. If that happens, I just got to get used to it and really progress throughout the year.
“I just got to bring that spark off the bench if that happens. Come off, bring energy. Those championship teams, that second team is always really good. You’ve got players that go out there, bring energy, keep the level up. If that’s the case, if I do come off the bench, that’s probably going to be my role.” ➤ RJ Barrett made his presence more evident Monday, with his agent, Bill Duffy, attending practice.
“Bill is a good friend of ours and a good friend of the program,” Fizdale said. “Obviously, he’s RJ’s guy. We try to stay in close communication with all of these guys’ agents.”