One game removed from Frank Ntilikina’s emancipation from the bench by head coach David Fizdale, the second-year guard displayed aggressiveness against idol Tony Parker and the Charlotte Hornets.
Kevin Knox, meanwhile, continued his hot stretch as of late with high energy and slashing prowess that had the Hornets on their heels all night.
Knox and Ntilikina combined to score 44 points versus Charlotte. Knox’s 26-point, 15-rebound night was the first time a rookie, and teenager even, put up those numbers since LeBron James’ inaugural NBA season. James and Knox are the only individuals to ever have those games in league history with the aforementioned qualifiers.
The former Kentucky Wildcat is the first Knicks rookie since Patrick Ewing to put up quite a performance, per Basketball-Reference.
