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The 2017-18 New York Knicks regular season is barely 24 hours old, but it’s already Knicks’ing harder than any Knicks season has ever Knicks’ed. Frank Ntilikina, who is trying somehow to build the trust of a coaching staff who only played him 8 minutes in the season opener, injured his ankle at practice on Friday afternoon. The photos look bad.
Knicks saying Frank Ntilikina is questionable for tomorrow but he looked to be in a lot of pain here. pic.twitter.com/NLbXKIRu9p
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) October 20, 2017
@FrankLikina looks like he badly turned left ankle. pic.twitter.com/Jm2nMxPxE7
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) October 20, 2017
The injury occurred in the final minutes of practice, because of course it did!
It was originally believed that Ntilikina stepped on Willy Hernangomez’s ankle, but the point guard later said that he hurt it changing direction while blocking out for a rebound. Great...we finally get a player on the Knicks who actually boxes out, and this is the kinda shit that happens? Let that be a lesson to you, children—if you get drafted by the Knicks, never box out.
According to a team spokesman, the medical staff didn’t even feel it necessary to take an X-ray of Ntilikina’s ankle. That’s...good, I guess? Maybe just take one anyway, medical bros, just to be on the safe side.
Ntilikina and Michael Beasley (rolled ankle in season opener) are both officially listed as questionable for Saturday night’s home opener against the Pistons. Personally, I’d say there’s a 0% chance the rookie plays, which is probably for the best.