Hartenstein describes his difficulties guarding Jokic

NEW YORK — Nikola Jokic isn’t the biggest talker in the NBA. Especially not publicly.

Butapparentlywhenyou get the big man going about basketball, Jokic demonstrates his brilliance.

“We talked a lot. I’m always a guy who wants to learn a lot,” Isaiah Hartenstein said. “So I think that was a special time for me to talk to them and learn. Like how he uses his eyes to pass and stuff like that. I could always pass, but the way he reads the game. When he tells you when you sit down with him what he’s seeing, it’s special. And I think that’s what makes him an Mvp-type of player.”

“There were certain times before practice,” Hartenstein added. “We would mostly be taking ice baths and talk, like, ‘What do you see?’ And how certain things work, and I think that’s how smart he is about the game. I think that’s incredible.”

Jokic and Hartenstein, two European centers, were teammates on the Nuggets for only half of a season. It was long enough for Jokic to leave a giant impression.

Now they’re facing off Saturday afternoon in The Joker’s annual appearance at MSG. He doesn’t carry the draw and cachet of most megastars, but Jokic also dominates the Knicks with a 13-1 career record. This year, he’s in the running to become the first player to win three consecutive MVPS since Larry Bird.

Brunson back in court:

Brunson is trending toward playing Saturday against the Nuggets after missing five of the last six games because of a sore foot. The point guard went through Friday’s practice and will be labeled as questionable, but coach Tom Thibodeau implied Brunson will suit up if there’s no discomfort in the morning.