INDIANAPOLIS — As the profile of rookie center Willy Hernangomez rises, his best friend on the team, Kristaps Porzingis, is mired in a curious rut — and it’s not just due to his Achilles tendon injury.
Entering December, the 7-foot-3 second-year phenom seemed to have a legitimate shot at making the All-Star Game as a reserve. Now he’ll have to settle for the Rookie-Sophomore Game, with the more rugged Hernangomez possibly going with him to New Orleans as his rookie teammate on the “World’’ team.
Porzingis was in a cheerful mood after the Knicks hung on for the 109-103 victory at Bankers Life Field House — feeling good for his former Seville teammate and relieved the club held on at the end after Porzingis fouled out with one minute left.
It ended a desultory night for Porzingis. In the first quarter, when the Knicks fell behind by 14 points, nobody could remember Porzingis looking so lost. He missed his first six shots — badly — and committed three turnovers.
“The first quarter was the worst quarter I’ve ever had, I think,’’ Porzingis said.
The Latvian sat during the second quarter when the Knicks bench — led by Hernangomez — seized control of the game. Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek decided to praise Porzingis afterward for bouncing back in the second half ever so slightly, hitting two early-third-quarter 3-pointers. But he finished with just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Porzingis said his Achilles was fine, but he feels out of rhythm after missing seven games since Dec. 31. Indeed, it may be more his head than his heel.
“No soreness,’’ Porzingis said. “When I’m playing, I’m not really thinking about it. My shot was just flat. I have to use more of my legs. It’s normal, just came back from being out for a few games.”
He took Hornacek’s platitudes with a grain of salt.
“Still wasn’t too involved in offense,’’ Porzingis said. “I got to watch film and pick my spots where I can be effective.’’
This slump essentially has lasted since early December. He shot 40.2 percent in December; he’s shooting 31.3 percent from 3 in January. Porzingis didn’t have a single defensive rebound in 33 minutes on Saturday against the Suns, and he took an ill-advised 3-pointer early in the shot clock late in that contest.
For all his unicorn skills, it’s time to back off on proclaiming Porzingis a definite future superstar. Nothing is guaranteed — even if his popularity still is growing. The NBA announced Tuesday, citing data from the NBA Store, he is seventh in jersey sales.
Porzingis, with his slight build, hit a rookie wall last season and is in a sophomore swoon. His shooting percentage has dropped to 44.9 percent. Carmelo Anthony was right during training camp that expectations were too high on a 21-year-old European in his second season still learning the NBA game — when to pass, how to rebound, how to post up.
Other observations:
- In the Knicks’ last four games, Hernangomez has played in three of them and been a dynamo: 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Celtics, 6 and 8 in 14 minutes against the Suns and 14 and 10 in Indiana. It makes it more inexplicable that Hornacek gave him a DNP on Thursday against the Wizards. “The coaching staff wanted to see more of rookie Marshall Plumlee” became the excuse. No more excuses and no more DNPs.
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Joakim Noah’s pained reaction to his atrocious airball on a free-throw in the first quarter was a hit on social media, but the situation is growing grim. He missed both free throws in that sequence and seems to have a mental block, though he has edged his free-throw percentage up to 42 percent. Hornacek stuck with Noah as a starter but he played limited minutes against the Pacers. Hornacek has plenty of other options, including Hernangomez.
- Derrick Rose told reporters they should interview the referees on how they missed a goaltending call on his drive with 2:20 left that was blocked off the glass. A referee source confirmed the officiating crew looked at replays after the game and saw Rose was right. The crew couldn’t review that particular play because it wasn’t under 2 minutes.