Frank Ntilikina did not get a lot of chance to help the New York Knicks in their game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Ntilikina played for only a minute before exiting out of the game due to an ankle injury. According to the Knicks, the 20-year-old point guard sustained a strained left ankle. X-rays were negative, but the Knicks ruled him out for the remainder of the game for precautionary measures.

The second-year guard is coming off a decent performance in their 115-108 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. The Belgium native came off the bench, and finished with 10 points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.

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With Ntilikina out, another backup guard seized the opportunity, as Trey Burke scored 12 points in 15 minutes. Burke helped the Knicks build a 63-59 lead over the Lakers at the half. Tim Hardaway Jr. waxed hot early as well with 16 points in the first half, while Emmanuel Mudiay went scoreless in 13 minutes.

The Knicks are already playing without Mitchell Robinson, who is still nursing a sprained left ankle. Superstar forward Kristaps Porzingis is still out, as he is still recovering from an ACL tear he sustained last season.

New York badly needs a win, as they are currently on a downward trajectory. The Knicks have lost in 13 of their last 14 games, shooting just 42.5 percent from the field in their last 14 assignments, according to Joey Ramirez of NBA.com.

The game against the Lakers is a good opportunity for them to end their eight-game skid. The Lakers are playing without LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, Kyle Kuzma, and Michael Beasley. Los Angeles are also struggling, losing in three of their last four games.