Pelle steps up to fill void in middle
DALLAS — The Knicks are expected to have an open roster spot when injured power forward/center John Henson’s 10day contract expires after Thursday. The Knicks don’t plan to give him a second 10-day pact, according to an NBA source.
When third-string center Norvel Pelle stepped up Wednesday, after starter Nerlens Noel was a last-minute scratch against the Pelicans with an ankle sprain, Henson’s fate was sealed.
Pelle, playing with a dislocated finger suffered in his debut in Detroit, played 13 minutes Wednesday, blocked a Zion Williamson shot and scored two inside baskets. More importantly, he was a plus-19.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau didn’t know much about Pelle when they originally signed him this month, saying the “scouts” liked him. But he has come away impressed. Pelle is on his second 10-day contract, with the expectation he will finish out the season with the Knicks.
“Norvel was terrific,” Thibodeau said. “He’s been putting in a lot of extra work. He’s still finding his way, learning the system. But his length, shot blocking, the rim protection, is huge for us.”
➤ The Knicks (29-27) will get another crack at their former lottery pick, Kristaps Porzingis, and the Mavericks on Friday, in the biggest test yet to their four-game winning streak. Surging Dallas (30-24) handled the Knicks easily at the Garden, 99-86, on April 2.
Porzingis had a so-so shooting evening, finishing with 14 points. The bigger star was former Villanova stud point guard Jalen Brunson, ex-Knick Rick Brunson’s son, who is emerging as a solid second-round steal. Brunson, who scored 15 points with seven assists and five rebounds on April 2, has a non-guaranteed year left on his pact.
The Knicks have their eye on Brunson, whose father was one of Thibodeau’s assistants with the Bulls and Timberwolves. Rick Brunson left Minnesota over allegations of workplace misconduct. With former assistant coach Mike Woodson off to the University of Indiana, Thibodeau could fill the void with Brunson, who was the first client of team president