For the New York Knicks, not only was today's 119-104 road victory over the Brooklyn Nets desperately needed but it was also a record-breaking game for rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina. According to Basketball-Reference, Ntilikina was the first Knicks rookie since guard Mardy Collins in 2007 to have at least 10 points and 10 assists in one game.
“He played with some fire,” Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said of Ntilikina.
Down the stretch of Monday's game in Brooklyn, Ntilikina was a huge presence off the bench on both offense and defense. In 29 minutes of action, the 19-year-old from France had 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting, 10 assists, seven rebounds, two blocked shots and one steal for the first double-double of his young career.
“Because I did a little bit of everything,” Ntilikina said.
According to a tweet from Clevis Murray of CLNS Media, Ntilikina was also the first Knicks rookie reserve in over 25 years to score at least 10 points, dish out 10 assists and grab five rebounds in one game since Darrell Walker back in 1984.
Frank Ntilikina is the first Knicks rookie reserve with at least 10 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in a game since Darrell Walker in 1984. @FrankLikina
— Clevis Murray (@ClevisMurray) January 15, 2018
Monday's win put an end to a three-game losing streak for the Knicks, who also began a whopping eight-game road trip on a positive note. New York's star forward Kristaps Porzingis, who led the way with 26 points and nine rebounds in just 27 minutes of action, is attributing a new mindset in hopes of getting out of his current shooting slump.
Via an article written by Marc Berman of the New York Post:
“I tried to [slow] down mentally — that’s helping,’’ Porzingis said. “I’m not thinking I need to score as much. I just want to be involved. When shots come, I’m going to take them, higher-percentage shots and not fighting to get the bucket. I’m trying to make it easier for myself. Mentally I’m slowing down a bit. Just trying to make the right play in every post-up, slow down and take a better shot.”
The Knicks, who improved their record to 20-24, will head out west to clash with the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday at FedExForum.