The Knicks won the game, but the night turned into an alarming Brooklyn Bummer at Barclays Center.
Knicks stud Kristaps Porzingis removed himself from the game with a left-knee injury with 9:55 left in the third quarter of the Knicks’ 111-104 victory over the Nets on Thursday. He headed to the locker room, limping in the tunnel and never returned to action.
However, Porzingis seemed confident afterward he hadn’t suffered a severe injury to the ACL, though he’ll likely miss Carmelo Anthony’s return Saturday at the Garden and perhaps a few more games.
“It’s more just being cautious,’’ Porzingis said. “I had a sharp pain there. I don’t have more information on what’s going on there. But it shouldn’t be — hopefully — it’s not too serious. [Friday] will be much clearer on what’s going on. I’m walking around. It shouldn’t be anything like that [an ACL tear]. I should have some bad pain right now but I’m not.’’
On the play that forced him out, Porzingis was defending Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on a drive and was looking to elevate for a block. He quickly pointed to the Knicks’ bench. However, Porzingis said the initial injury came in the first half when his left knee “buckled’’ as he passed out to Courtney Lee for a 3-pointer in the corner.
“It was one play — pass to the corner to Courtney for the 3,’’ Porzingis said. “The knee buckled a bit. I felt a little pain. I felt the pain and kept playing. But I didn’t feel comfortable jumping off the left leg. Hopefully it’s just a little thing that happens.On the film, I could see [after the pass] I did something with my face. But I kept playing so it shouldn’t be anything bad.’’
Sudden non-contact injuries often wind up as the most serious, but it may be a good sign Porzingis initially hurt it in the first half and kept going. Soon after he went to the locker room in the third quarter, the Knicks announced he was not returning and deemed the injury a “sore left knee.’’
Porzingis, 22, has missed four games this season, including two recently after a spraining his ankle when his foot bent sideways 90 degrees. In his first two seasons, Porzingis had an assortment of injuries that cost him 26 games total. Durability — because of his slender 7-foot-3 frame and that he plays with the reckless abandon of a shooting guard — has been a issue.
“He said he didn’t feel right, we’re just being cautious,’’ Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said. “I’m sure the doctors will look at him [Friday]. We’ll know more then.’’
Missing the game with Anthony’s Thunder will not be easy.
“I hope to be healthy,’’ Porzingis said. “But I don’t want to make any [predictions].’’
Behind Lee’s 27 points, Michael Beasley chipping in 13 and Frank Ntilikina’s eight assists, the Knicks hung on without Porzingis. The Latvian had a terrific first half of 13 points and four assists as the whole club was sharp and active. It was the first time this season Porzingis looked adept at passing out of the double-team. He had just one assist against the Lakers on Tuesday.
“It was more me watching film with the coaches and [brother/agent] Janis Porzingis and where to pass the ball,’’ Porzingis said. “When I get better at this and make the right pass, it will open it up for me and they’ll be hesitant to double. That’s the next step.”
The Knicks improved to 15-13, but the uncertainty regarding Porzingis’ injury — coupled with Tim Hardaway Jr.’s remarks that he knows he has “a serious injury” — has temporarily overshadowed that. Against OKC, they likely will be without their two leading scorers.
Still, the Knicks notched their second road win of the season — if you can call it a road game with a majority of the sell-out crowd pulling for the orange and blue. The Knicks are now 2-8 on the road.
The Knicks owned the first half and the building, taking a 63-50 at intermission. With Porzingis out early in the third, the Nets went on a 25-10 run start to the third quarter to erase a 13-point halftime deficit and take a two-point lead.
The Knicks, once up by as many as 18 points, rallied and the noise inside the Barclays Center rose to a deafening pitch. In the final minute, the crowd put forth a loud chant of “Let’s Go Knicks.”
Now their fans must wait to see how long Porzingis is out.