New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis Expected Back Against Suns

The New York Knicks have been without Kristaps Porzingis for a few games now. When will the young star be back?

It has been a difficult stretch of basketball for the New York Knicks recently. With a lot of losses has come some drama between Carmelo Anthony and President Phil Jackson. In addition to that, the Knicks have been without Kristaps Porzingis the past few games because of an achillies injury.

After missing his fourth straight game against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, Porzingis admitted that he still isn’t quite 100 percent healthy.

“Still not there yet,” Porzingis said to Al Iannazzone of Newsday.com. “I have to be really careful of how much I do and how explosive the movements are. If not I get a little pinch again in the heel down there where the Achilles starts.“I have to be really careful how much I do, but I’m getting much closer. I’m doing more explosive stuff. Hopefully, after the next game, I’ll be ready to go.”

Porzingis didn’t expect to miss this much time with the injury. In what was originally a day-to-day diagnosis has turned into him missing over a week.

“I thought I would be like next game, next game and it has taken long, longer time than we expected,” he said to Iannazzone. “This is type of thing that doesn’t heal up like that. Hopefully as soon as possible but being smart.”

However, there is some good news. According to Newsday, Porzingis is expected to be back for the Knicks on Saturday. Getting Porzingis back in the lineup will certainly be a welcomed sight for the Knicks, who were also without Joakim Noah on Wednesday against the Celtics.

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Even though the bench played extremely well against Boston, the Knicks need Porzingis back and healthy. With a lot of games coming up on the road to end the month, the Knicks need to get some wins.

Editor’s note: Porzingis will now be available to play against the Washington Wizards on Thursday.