The NY Knicks are hoping that Arron Afflalo can return from his hamstring injury this week and he comes into Friday's game as doubtful, but he could be back for Sunday against the Lakers. The Knicks have gotten strong play from Kristaps Porzingis this season, but the rookie dealt with foul trouble in the loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers and that is an area he will have to work on.
The Knicks have started the season 2-3, but the team has already looked better than they did last season and it is giving some fans hope for the future. The Knicks won just 17 games last season and this year they have opened up the schedule with teams that made the playoffs in 2014-15. The Knicks have played the Bucks, Hawks, Wizards, Spurs and Cavaliers, winning games over Milwaukee and Washington so far.
The Knicks have looked like a professional team this year, which is something that did not happen too often last season. The team had a nice lead against the Cavaliers on Wednesday night before allowing Cleveland to come back and the Knicks also held close with the Spurs for most of the game on Monday. Head coach Derek Fisher said there is a lot to take from playing those two teams, as they are considered to be two of the best teams in the league.
The Knicks lineup will get a boost once Arron Afflalo comes back, as he has not yet been able to get on the court this season. Afflalo has been dealing with a hamstring injury and he could return on Sunday, although Friday remains a possibility. Marc Berman at the NY Post writes that Sunday is more likely for Afflalo to return, as the Knicks want to make sure that he is fully healed from his hamstring injury and does not suffer a setback.
The Knicks overall have looked pretty good this season compared to last year despite some tough losses, as the second unit has been playing well off the bench and young players like Lance Thomas, Jerian Grant and Langston Galloway have stepped up. Once Afflalo comes back, Grant and Galloway could see fewer minutes, but with the way Jose Calderon is playing, it could force the young players back in the lineup. The team has not been able to push the ball much this season on the fast break and that has been an issue and could force Derek Fisher to consider some changes with Calderon. Fisher has not said if he will make changes yet, but once Afflalo comes back something in the lineup will have to change.
Porzingis has become a fan favorite for the Knicks and he has exceeded early expectations after being inserted into the starting lineup as a rookie. Porzingis has shown athleticism, strong shooting and also some energetic play on defense, but he also has dealt with foul trouble and that is expected to happen for a rookie player. According to ESPN, Porzingis said that he has "to be smarter and not commit some stupid fouls," as he had to sit for the most important part of the game against the Cavs (when it was tied 75-75).
