Ron Baker
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks will have Ron Baker back Monday vs. the Rockets, but they’ll be without Kristaps Porzingis or Frank Ntilikina.

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis struggled in the team’s blowout loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night. He posted just six points in 16 minutes on 2-of-7 shooting. The night off might do him some good.

That’s exactly what he’s getting. The Knicks announced Porzingis will sit on the second night of a back-to-back due to a sore right hip.

Although it’s not serious, being cautious with your franchise player during exhibition games is always the right move.

That’s not the only injury news for tonight’s contest.

Ron Baker is back. After missing the first three games with ankle issues, New York hopes the reserve guard can help solve some of their defensive issues. It can’t possibly hurt them. The Knicks have given up 100 or more points in all three preseason games (twice to the Nets).

New York will also be without Frank Ntilikina for the third straight game. He’s still nursing that knee injury he suffered in the opening preseason game.

They’ll also be without Doug McDermott and Mindaugas Kuzminskas. Kuzminskas is yet to play in the preseason.

 
I'm ESNY's Executive Editor for EliteSportsNY.com. I cover the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Email: chip.murphy@elitesportsny.com Chip Murphy covers the NBA for Elite Sports NY. You can find him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy.