New York Knicks Rookie Guard Frank Ntilikina Still Out With Left Ankle Injury
New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina just can't seem to stay on the floor long enough to make a significant impact early on this season.
The 19-year-old rookie barely played in his National Basketball Association (NBA) debut last week when the team took on the Oklahoma City Thunder, and now he will have to miss some games because of a left ankle injury.
"I'm a little sad about it, but we're going to treat it. I want to be out there and get experience. Now I got to be strong mentally and do the best for my body and career. I don't roll my ankle very often so I was a little scared about it," Ntilikina said, via the New York Post.
Ntilikina sprained his left ankle after he stepped on Guillermo Hernangómez's foot in practice last Friday and he missed the Knicks' home opener against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. He has also been ruled out of Tuesday's game against the Boston Celtics.
Well, the Knicks clearly don't want to risk further injury by rushing him back too soon.
"Just because there's no swelling doesn't mean that when you go side to side you don't feel it. He's getting banged up and hurt because he's playing hard. He generally does go out and scrimmage," Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said, according to the New York Post.
Ntilikina hasn't seen much action since the Knicks drafted him ahead of more established guards like Dennis Smith Jr. and Malik Monk in this year's draft. The rookie missed the entire summer league and most of the preseason with a bruised knee, so it will take some time for him to get acclimated to the style of play in the NBA.
Meanwhile, Ramon Sessions and Ron Baker will continue to see most of the minutes at point guard.
