Elfrid Payton was back with the Knicks Thursday night against the Nuggets. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Elfrid Payton had just laid claim to the starting point guard job, coming off the bench in the season opener and then starting the next three when he suffered a strained hamstring that had him sidelined for the next 17 games while the Knicks' season went to pieces.
But Payton was finally activated in time for Thursday’s game against the Nuggets. Frank Ntilikina took over as the starter with both Payton and Dennis Smith Jr. away from the team, and Ntilikina got the start again with all three available.