The New York Knicks are expected to be without their star forward Kristaps Porzingis for at least 10 months, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. While it's too early to estimate how long it would take for his return, this will largely depend on his healing and how his body adapts to the ligament during the first few months.

Porzingis initially tore his left ACL after dunking past fellow unicorn Giannis Antetokounmpo last Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 7-foot-3 center was in visible pain after landing awkwardly and was soon helped off the floor by teammates and coaching staff.

The Knicks would be awful careful with his recovery and likely take no risks of rushing him back after trading away franchise star Carmelo Anthony this past summer, handing over the reins of the team to the 22-year-old Latvian.

New York is in dire need of offseason signing Tim Hardaway Jr. at the moment, hopeful he can shake off a rough stretch of games and become the leading scorer for this team with Porzingis on the shelf.

Hardaway has failed to score in double figures in six of his last seven games, shooting a baffling 5-of-44 (11.3 percent) from beyond the arc during that stretch, capped off by an 0-for-8 performance against the Philadelphia 76ers last night.

The Knicks have struggled with Porzingis and are struggling without him even more now, mired with the ninth lowest winning percentage in the league after a strong start to the season and a disappointing slump thereafter.