David Fizdale doesn’t think Frank Ntilikina will be benched permanently.
The Knicks coach replaced his second-year guard with Trey Burke during his team’s 109-95 loss to the Bucks Tuesday. Fizdale explained his decision to reporters after the game.
“Frank has been struggling and Trey (Burke) is back, (so) let’s take a look at it,” Fizdale said, via Newsday. “That’s kind of what I’ve been doing with these guys: When one guy hits a certain amount of gas where he is struggling, the next guy is up (and) let’s give them a look.
“It’ll never be a permanent thing. Frank is very important to us and we just have to find a way to just get that confidence back for him.”
Ntilikina said he was unaware he wouldn’t play before the game.
“Did I know that I would not play today?” Ntilikina said. “Coach makes his decision during the game. So, you don’t know.”
Ntilikina is averaging 6.3 points and 2.6 assists in 31 games this season. He’s shooting 34.6 percent from the field and 29 percent from 3-point range.
“I don’t know how long (the benching) will be,” Ntilikina told The New York Post after the game. “I can’t predict each and every game in the future. One thing I can do is get ready for each and every one — which I will do. Practice hard, get ready physically and mentally for the next game.”
The Knicks will face the Bucks again Thursday. They’ll enter that matchup with a 9-26 record.
