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Emmanuel Mudiay had a shining debut with the New York Knicks, putting up a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists, after splitting minutes with rookie Frank Ntilikina at the point guard position.
The Knicks traded for Mudiay in a three-team swap with the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets, surprising most who believed the team was building around eighth overall pick Frank Ntilikina as the next one coming.
Mudiay, who was born in the Congo and speaks fluent French, is cherishing the opportunity to play alongside the young Frenchman and growing together as the franchise has envisioned.
“We’re going to grow together,” said Mudiay, who had 14 points and 10 assists in 29 minutes in his Knicks debut on Sunday in a 121-113 loss to the Pacers, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday. “At least that’s what I know is the plan right now. He’s 19. I’m 21. So we’re both kind of close in age. He speaks French. I speak French. It’s going to be fun, just trying to see how we feel each other out on the court.”
Mudiay played 29 minutes while Ntilikina saw 31, phasing out starter Jarrett Jack, who played all but eight minutes in the tilt.
“We can build something really great,” Ntilikina said. “We have the same background. It’s just so exciting to have a guy like that and know that we can do a lot of great things in the future together.”
Head coach Jeff Hornacek will once again have to manage a logjam (stop me when that sounds familiar) at the point guard position, this time throwing in the recently-signed Trey Burke in the mix, who also managed only eight minutes against the Pacers. The Knicks' boss said the team would use the All-Star break to assess rotations and the right fit for his new player.
