Some Knicks fans had already made their way to the exits by the final minute of the fourth quarter during Wednesday’s blowout win over the Mavericks, but those who stayed created one of the loudest applauses of the night, when the game was already decided.
The raucous ovation was for former Knick Frank Ntilikina, who knocked down a straightaway jumper with 30 seconds left to pull Dallas within 23, but all the Madison Square Garden crowd cared about was honoring the former top-10 pick who never panned out in New York, but maintained a cult following among a corner of the fanbase.
Ntilikina’s jumper was his only shot attempt of the night, as he played just 1:13 of garbage time, similar to the bulk of his usage during his four seasons with the Knicks, when he averaged 5.4 points and 2.5 assists per game. But fans adored him and clamored for more playing time because of his defensive value and sudden spurts of shooting efficiency, which unfortunately could never be maintained.
Even after demolishing his new team, it was all love from the Knicks with Ntilikina after the game, as he took time to catch up with his former teammates.
Ntilikina signed a two-year, $3.8 million deal with Dallas in September, and represents a load of former Knicks currently playing with the Mavericks, including Tim Hardaway Jr., Theo Pinson and Kristaps Porzingis, the latter missing Wednesday’s game after entering health and safety protocols.
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