Knicks guard Emmanuel Mudiay shoots past Lakers forward Brandon Ingram on the way to the Knicks’ 119-112 win. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — On Thursday morning, in the middle of a six-game road trip that had produced its share of duds, Knicks Coach David Fizdale started practice by gathering his players for an announcement: Kevin Knox, a first-year forward, had been named the N.B.A.’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December.
The news was well received by Knox’s teammates. Emmanuel Mudiay and Mario Hezonja rubbed Knox’s head as Frank Ntilikina made a half-hearted attempt to jump on his back.