The New York Knicks have been depleted at point guard early this season, but Dennis Smith Jr. is back to help shoulder some of the load.
Dennis Smith Jr. is finally returning to the court after a long and difficult absence due to a death in his family. The New York Knicks are set to play the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night and Smith will play limited minutes according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.
“I’m looking at matchups,” head coach David Fizdale said per Vorkunov. “Again, what combinations look good together but most likely chance I’ll be starting the same one.”
If the lineup holds, Frank Ntilikina will still start at point guard, but Smith will likely be one of the first guards off the bench. RJ Barrett has been splitting point guard duties with Ntilikina for the majority of the season.
In addition to Smith’s absence, the Knicks haven’t had Elfrid Payton for much of the season. The veteran point guard is still nursing a strained right hamstring and remains day-to-day. Payton has only appeared in four games thus far.
New York is looking to secure their second win against the Bulls and their third won total this season. Team president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry held an impromptu press conference after Sunday’s loss to voice their frustration with the first 10 games of the season.
The Knicks are 2-8 and in danger of letting the season slip away. Perhaps Smith can bring some energy to a team that desperately needs it.