A notable exclusion from the New York Knicks starting lineup in their inaugural 126-107 victory against the Atlante Hawks was first-year forward Kevin Knox.
Head coach David Fizdale decided to go with the more experienced Lance Thomas at the power forward spot and got creative with Frank Ntilikina at the three, leaving Knox, who struggled in the preseason, to help lead the second unit alongside the likes of Allonzo Trier and Ron Baker.
To his credit, the rookie appeared more motivated than upset by the assignment according to Fizdale once given the news, but the former Kentucky wing couldn’t prove his coach wrong in the win, scoring just 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting from the field.