TORONTO — Slowly, Kevin Knox is regaining his form.
In his third game back after missing the previous seven with a left ankle injury, the rookie wing scored 12 points in 24 minutes in the Knicks’ 128-112 loss to the Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.
“I felt good, actually,” Knox said.“I thought I was going to get a little winded, but I was moving well, felt good. Once I get back into how I was before I got hurt, I think I’ll able to produce a little more.”
After Knox got in his first full practice Friday, coach David Fizdale gave the rookie a longer look, and he responded by making 4-of-11 shots and adding two rebounds.
“I thought there were some good minutes for him tonight,” Fizdale said.
Sunday’s Veterans Day-themed contest against the Magic at the Garden will have extra meaning for Knox.
The rookie’s family has a strong military background. His great-grandfather, Richard Knox Jr., served in the Army and fought in World War II. Grandfather Levi N. Knox served for 26 years in the Air Force. His aunt, N’Keiba Knox Estelle, is a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and serves as a communication squadron commander.
Her husband, Knox’s uncle, Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II, was killed in 2011 in Afghanistan during active duty.
“It means a lot to go out there and play for them,” Knox said. “I know they’re trying to save the world and pretty much help this country as much as possible. I should go out there and play hard because I know they’re working hard for me.”
Fizdale said the Raptors’ 40 free-throw attempts are a lesson for his young team about being disciplined and not taking chances on defense.
“Right now, I’ve got to get our guys to understand [that] no one knows who you are, so you’re going to be called for every reach, every bump, every touch, until you learn the respect of the officials,” he said. “Our technique, our discipline has to be at a high level.”
Trey Burke remained the odd point guard out and did not play for the second straight game. Emmanuel Mudiay, meanwhile, scored in double figures for the third straight game and finished with 12 points.