New York Knicks newly-acquired point guard Emmanuel Mudiay is set to start at the controls tonight against the Orlando Magic, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday. Mudiay will replace veteran Jarrett Jack as the starting point guard, likely for the last 23 games remaining in the season, as head coach Jeff Hornacek assesses the young talent remaining in the roster.

The third-year point man has come off the bench during his first three games with the team in limited playing time, but will get the opportunity to make a statement following the trade and assert himself as the starter moving forward.

Mudiay is vastly similar in height and athleticism to rookie Frank Ntilikina, who some thought would get the chance to crack the starting lineup, with the season now in peril amid the absence of star player Kristaps Porzingis.

Yet it's the recently-acquired trade chip that will get the opportunity to snap an eight-game losing streak as the team headed into the All-Star break, against a Magic team that will get forward Aaron Gordon and center Nikola Vucevic back from injury.

Mudiay has yet to play over 30 minutes this season since facing (oddly enough) the Magic back in early December, and has been doing sprints throughout the break to condition himself for a bigger bulk of playing time.

His insertion as a starter isn't a cross over Ntilikina, who should still receive plenty of playing time under coach Jeff Hornacek, who promised to play his young guns plenty and often during the remainder of the regular season.