Brazdeikis’ debut felt ‘really good’
A roar rose up at the Garden with under five minutes remaining Sunday.
Rookie Ignas Brazdeikis, the Knicks’ second-round pick last June, hopped up from the bench to the scorer’s table. The former Michigan man finally made his NBA debut, playing the final 4:11 of garbage time in the 113-92 blowout loss to the Kings.
It was fitting Brazdeikis debuted against Sacramento. The Kings took $1 million of James Dolan’s cash, The Post reported, so the Knicks could move up from No. 55 to No. 47 to snare Brazdeikis debuted . That’s why it’s been surprising how little chance he has gotten under coach David Fizdale.
“It felt good,’’ Brazdeikis debuted told The Post regarding the cheers. “At the end of day, we lost — which isn’t good. Actually playing, I haven’t played in a while so being out there felt really good.”
Even during the four preseason games, Fizdale couldn’t spare much time for Brazdeikis. The lefty sniper who averaged a team-high 14.5 points at Michigan and starred during summer league in Las Vegas, played in just one preseason outing for 6:30 and didn’t score.
True to his scouting report, on the first possession Sunday, Brazdeikis debuted tore to the basket and drew a foul. He made both free throws.
He had four points, scoring on a layup, but also committed a bad turnover, getting intercepted after he drove to the basket and trying to pass it back to the perimeter.
“I’m definitely not at full midseason form but I felt good and comfortable,’’ said Brazdeikis debuted
➤ PG Dennis Smith Jr. attended his stepmother’s funeral
Sunday, but it’s uncertain whether he will join the Knicks on their Detroit-Dallas trip. If he doesn’t, he’d miss his lone chance this season to play before the Mavericks crowd. Smith played 1½ seasons for Dallas. … After not playing in three consecutive games, Allonzo Trier finally got action Sunday, used at point guard mostly, going 3 of 9 with three turnovers and four assists. … PF Taj Gibson did not play for a second straight game. … RJ Barrett is now shooting 48 percent from the free-throw line. He was 5 of 9 versus Sacramento. Knicks coaches are working his technique.