Reggie Bullock’s season started on time this season. And he’s been on the mark.
Bullock, the 29-year-old veteran who has started all four games, pumped in five 3-pointers and scored 17 points in the Knicks’ 95-86 victory over the Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Tuesday that kicked off a four-game road trip.
Last season, which started at the customary time in October, Bullock didn’t make his Knicks debut until January after rehabbing from spinal fusion surgery. Now he looks perfectly healthy and is holding onto a starting job that was unexpected.
“His defense has been terrific,’’ Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Just watching him move on the court, he’s not laboring like he did last year. He’s been a good pro wherever he’s been. I’ve talked to people who coached him and played with him, they have a high regard for him. His health is a big thing and he’s shown that so far.’’
Bullock says the major surgery is a thing of the past. Knicks president Leon Rose picked up Bullock’s $4.2 million option last month before free agency.
“I’ve worked on my body a lot,” Bullock said. “I got my body right. I’m really taking care of my body a lot this season. The neck issue is something behind me now.”
Perhaps there’s a chance Alec Burks will eventually be moved into the starting lineup when he gets healthy. Burks missed Tuesday’s game in Cleveland with an ankle sprain. But Thibodeau just may stick with this five-man group.
Bullock is no longer making headlines because of his Saturday jersey malfunction when he had No. 25 on the front and No. 23 on the back — a snafu that set social media abuzz.
“I definitely found out later,” Bullock said. “If I would’ve noticed it, I definitely wouldn’t have put the jersey on. But it was pretty funny. It was a hilarious thing for the team. We got good laughs out of it.’’
Austin Rivers missed all four preseason games and now the first four regular-season games as he inches his way to his Knicks debut. He had his first contact drills Monday.
“There’s a progression to coming back,’’ Thibodeau said. “He was doing condition without contact. Then it goes to one-on-one controlled movements. Then progressed to two-on-two. And then three-on-three. We’re on the three-on-three phase right now. It’s day-to-day on how he feels and whether we get to the next step. There’s more steps to take. He has to play five-on-five and practice with the team. He’s still couple of steps away.’’
The Cavaliers’ announcement that former All-Star Kevin Love will miss three to four weeks with a right calf strain was not a good indicator for Knicks rookie Obi Toppin.
The Knicks announced Toppin has a calf strain but would be “reevaluated’’ in 7-10 days without giving a timetable on when he might play. When Allonzo Trier was a rookie with the Knicks, he missed 3 ¹/₂ weeks with a calf strain.