The New York Knicks are expected to have three key contributors back for Thursday's game against the Denver Nuggets, according to Knicks head coach David Fizdale.
Point guards Elfrid Payton and Frank Ntilikina and forward Marcus Morris Sr. are all possible additions to the struggling Knicks as they face one of the best teams in the Western Conference.
David Fizdale says it’s possible Knicks have Elfrid Payton, Marcus Morris and Frank Ntilikina back on Thursday vs. Denver.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 4, 2019
Elfrid Payton, a former lottery pick in 2014, has missed the last 17 games for the Knicks with a right hamstring injury. In four games this season so far, Payton has averaged 8.0 points, 3.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game.
Payton signed a two-year $16 million contract with New York this offseason after playing for the Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns.
Frank Ntilikina, meanwhile, has struggled so far in his career but is steadily rising. He is day to day with a back injury and missed the team's last game against the Bucks.
The third-year guard has started 15 games for the Knicks this season and is averaging a career-high 6.5 points and 3.5 assists in 26.1 minutes per game. However, he is only shooting 38.2 percent from the field.
Marcus Morris, on the other hand, has probably been New York's best player this season. The former Boston Celtics big man signed a one-year $15 million deal with the Knicks in the past offseason.
The 6-foot-8 forward missed the last two games for the ‘Bockers with an apparent neck injury. In 19 games, though, Morris is leading the team with a career-high 18.7 points to go along with 6.3 rebounds while shooting an impressive 52.4 percent from deep.
The 4-17 Knicks have the worst record in the Eastern Conference so far this season and will certainly need all the help they can get if they want to avoid another season in the cellar of NBA.
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