When Karl-Anthony Towns wasn’t able to go Friday night against the Nets due to the knee injury he suffered in Wednesday’s loss to Chicago, Jericho Sims was inserted into the starting lineup.
But Sims only played 17 minutes in a tight win over the Nets at Madison Square Garden, as a new piece to the Knicks’ puzzle emerged for the first time in Ariel Hukporti.
The 6-foot-11 rookie logged over 30 minutes and scored his first seven NBA points.
Hukporti also had a team-high four blocks, as well as four rebounds — including the one that sealed the win after Mikal Bridges’ blocked shot in the final seconds.
Nov. 15. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Asked what he liked about the 22-year-old Hukporti following the victory, Tom Thibodeau said, “Just energy.’’
The head coach didn’t need to say much about Hukporti’s performance, since his usage of the rookie spoke volumes.
If he wasn’t pleased, Hukporti wouldn’t have played almost twice as much as Sims, who is in his fourth season.
Hukporti’s teammates were more effusive.
“His energy was amazing,’’ Josh Hart said. “He was a presence on screens, protecting the rim, rebounding the ball, deflections [and] running the court.”
It all added up to Hukporti’s most productive game as a Knick — by far — after mostly serving as the third-string center behind Towns and Sims.
But with Towns out — in addition to Mitchell Robinson, still sidelined with an ankle injury, and Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) also unavailable — the Knicks turned to Hukporti, the No. 58 pick in the draft earlier this year.
Despite Hukporti’s lack of experience, it’s understandable why the native of Germany is appealing to Thibodeau: He fits the rim-protecting profile the coach prefers.
What Thibodeau tends not to love, however, is using players that aren’t veterans.
Hart noted that’s where it could get tricky for Hukporti.
“Now, the thing about a rookie is — for him — the hard thing is gonna be continuing to have the energy,’’ Hart said. “And not being complacent, which I don’t think he will. And we’re gonna hold him accountable. You guys saw just a glimpse of what he can do and he’s gonna have to build on that, but we’re excited with what he is. He’s gonna be big for us.”
Hukporti was slowed by a meniscus injury prior to the draft that appeared to affect his movement prior to the season, but that’s no longer an issue.
Still, his breakout on Friday came somewhat out of nowhere, as Hukporti was coming off three straight DNPs and had only played eight minutes in the previous eight games following what had been a career-high 11 minutes Oct. 28 against Cleveland.
The added time on the court, Jalen Brunson said, aided Hukporti’s “rhythm.”
“He looked really good out there,’’ Brunson said. “He made the most of his opportunity. We’re proud of him.”
How that translates to Sunday’s game against the Nets at the Garden will largely depend on Towns’ availability.
Regardless, Hukporti will be looking to build on Friday.
He acknowledged he was “a little bit” nervous near the end of the game in his first big minutes in the NBA.
“I think that’s normal for a rookie,’’ Hukporti said.
But he also referred to his previous professional experience, which includes stints in Australia, Germany and Lithuania, as a reason why he felt comfortable on the court.
“I’ve still got to work on a lot of things,” Hukporti said. “Learn from my mistakes and keep going.”