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New York Knicks: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 NBA season

By Kenneth Teape

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 8: Steve Mills, David Fizdale and Scott Perry of the New York Knicks during a press conference announcing David Fizdale as the new head coach on May 8, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 8: Steve Mills, David Fizdale and Scott Perry of the New York Knicks during a press conference announcing David Fizdale as the new head coach on May 8, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
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1. When will Kristaps Porzingis return?

Feb. 8, 2018, is a date Knicks fans won’t soon forget. With their playoff hopes hanging on by a thread, New York was hosting the Milwaukee Bucks. The game would represent the team’s fourth consecutive loss, but the biggest loss didn’t come on the scoreboard. It came on the court, with Kristaps Porzingis.

Porzingis, the Knicks’ budding superstar and first-time All-Star, injured his knee in that game. It was about as bad as possible, as Porzingis tore his ACL. That essentially ended the Knicks’ 2017-18 season and put a damper on the 2018-19 campaign as well.

A knee injury of that magnitude cannot be taken lightly. As a result, the Knicks have to figure out what the best course of action will be going into the season.

There have been plenty of different timetables thrown about. Some people, such as Knicks’ owner James Dolan, believe Porzingis could be out for the entire season. Some are hopeful that he will return around Christmas. The doctor that Porzingis is rehabbing with believes he will be ready to go on opening day.

Of those guesses, Christmas Day seems the closest to what will happen. That will be about 10 months removed from the injury, so that is probably on the early side. However, it is a more realistic goal than opening night. The Knicks have no incentive to push Porzingis that much in what will be a season more about evaluating and development.

Sitting out the entire season seems unlikely as well. If he is healthy and ready to go, he may as well be eased back into the lineup to get his feet wet. New York is unlikely to be playing for much, but it would be a huge morale boost for the organization and fans to see Porzingis back in the lineup.

Next. Ranking all 30 starting NBA power forwards for 2018-19. dark

There are a lot of factors that will go into the decision on when Porzingis should return to the court. He has battled injuries throughout his career, so finding a plan, in regards to his timetable to return, that works out for everyone, is the biggest question heading into the 2018-19 season.

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