Whenever the New York Knicks visit the Denver Nuggets, it’s about Carmelo Anthony‘s return. But tonight there’s a sibling rivalry involved.
Willy Hernangomez was a second-round pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015 before the New York Knicks his acquired his draft rights.
He was a draft-and-stash who was close friends with Kristaps Porzingis. After Porzingis’ incredible rookie season fans eagerly anticipated Hernangomez’s New York City arrival.
Willy’s brother Juancho took a different route to the NBA. He was a first-round pick of the Denver Nuggets in 2016 and chose to jump to the league right away at 21-years-old.
But according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Willy says there’s more to tonight’s matchup than just the two brothers. It’s about the whole Hernangomez family.
“I’m excited,’’ Willy Hernangomez told The Post at the shootaround at Pepsi Center on Saturday morning. “It’s an important day for me and my family. I can’t wait for being on the court to play against my brother.”
“All my family back home, my grandfather, too, will watch it,’’ Hernangomez said. “They’re going to sleep and wake up for the game. It’s a big day for my family.’’
Per Berman, the Hernangomez family is planning an early wake up in Madrid where it will be 3 A.M. at the time of the 9 P.M. ET start.
