The Knicks' Frank Ntilikina warms up before an NBA game against the Cavaliers on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, at Madison Square Garden. Credit: AP/Elsa
It was an out-of-the-blue surprise to see Frank Ntilikina get the call Thursday night after nearly two months without a single appearance in a game — a gap twice as long as the time until the NBA trade deadline which seemed more likely to signal a return to action for the 22-year-old guard.
But with Elfrid Payton sidelined by a hamstring injury, Ntilikina stepped up and into a game for the first time since December 29.