Much has been made about the health of Kristaps Porzingis. The rookie continues to struggle with non-contact injuries that have left him out of preseason practices and games. While head coach Derek Fisher admitted that the team needed a different approach to get the power forward healthy, Porzingis is denying any issues as he started against the Charlotte Hornets.
There was plenty of concern that Porzingis' injuries would linger into the season, but the rookie is declaring himself healthy via Ian Begley of ESPN New York as the official regular season gets closer. Porzingis had sat for four days with a quad injury, but made it into the Saturday game against Charlotte. He has had leg and hip injuries in the past four months, but he stresses he is healthy.
"They want to go slowly. They want to make sure I'm totally fine," Porzingis said, via ESPN.com. "They're very cautious with me. I'm telling them every day, 'I want to get back, I want to get back.' (They say) step-by-step, step-by-step, not to get back too quickly and something else happens. They're taking care of me."
The return of Porzingis comes with the return of Arron Afflalo as well. The shooting guard had yet to be seen in this preseason as he sat with hamstring issues. However, he played this weekend and is expected to start for the team on opening night. Afflalo was a "top free agent" for the Knicks this offseason. They are hopeful his existing chemistry with Carmelo Anthony is something that can spark the offense this year.
"His character," Fisher said, via ESPN.com. "He's a team guy and he competes on both ends of the floor. It sounds strange to say a guy competes on offense and defense. But there's a level of physicality and aggression that Arron plays with that I think is good for us. He hasn't played basketball in several months so we have to understand we won't see the best of him for a while probably. He's good enough to help us in the time he's on the floor."
Another player adding a spark is Langston Galloway who is aware he is on thin ice with the season getting closer. The point guard is battling Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant to start. He got the nod against Charlotte and made the most of his opportunities. The chances are high that the Knicks head into the season with three point guards considering how well they are all playing in the preseason.