Kristaps Porzingis is going to be fine.
Cue the sighs of relief coming from New York Knicks fans everywhere.
The rookie landed awkwardly on his right foot after going up for a rebound late in the fourth quarter of New York’s Monday afternoon double-overtime victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He tried to shake it off but couldn’t, and so the Knicks removed him from the game as a precautionary measure.
Feelings of unease naturally permeated Madison Square Garden. He is the future. The Knicks’ lifeline back to contention. Foot injuries suffered by lanky bigs are no joke. Ask Kevin Durant. The worst was assumed, the best was hoped for.
Turns out there’s almost nothing to worry about.
From the New York Daily News‘ Fred Kerber:
“I don’t know exactly what happened. I just guess I stepped wrong or something and my foot is a little bruised now. It’s not too bad,” said Porzingis, who notched his 16th double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. “I’m going to get some treatment and we have great doctors so hopefully I’ll be back on Wednesday.”
But when the rookie exited with 2:40 left in regulation of the Knicks’ 119-113 double overtime win over the Sixers at the Garden Monday, his health, not his numbers were on everyone’s mind. And he assured everyone afterward that worry and animal sacrifice for his well-being were unnecessary. He did not even go for X-rays or additional tests.
“It’s sore, one spot bothering me at the moment. I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Porzingis said, insisting his youth will aid the healing process.
“I didn’t take any X-rays. I’m sure the bones are fine, just I don’t really know what exactly happened. Just I guess the joint a little bit, but it’s not too serious,” said Porzingis, who felt the discomfort on the bottom of his right foot — officially he came out with a “sore right foot,” according to the team.
The hope is that Porzingis can suit up Wednesday against the Utah Jazz, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Knicks play it safe. They did the same with Carmelo Anthony and aren’t about to jeopardize any part of Kristaps Porzingis’ future with the team—even if his latest dustup really is nothing.
