CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As center Luke Kornet and point guard Emmanuel Mudiay became heroes Friday against the Hornets, Mitchell Robinson and Frank Ntilikina became casualties — each suffering an ankle sprain in the Knicks’ 126-124 overtime victory.
In a scary moment, Robinson, the Knicks’ rookie project, landed awkwardly on his left ankle after snatching a rebound in the first half, and crumbled to the court. Enes Kanter and trainers helped him off to the locker room, where X-rays were negative.
Robinson didn’t return, and his status does not look good for the next several games. He was bugged by a left ankle sprain during training camp and left after one minute of the season opener.
“We got to figure out something with his ankles of his,’’ a frustrated coach David Fizdale said.
Ntilikina was gone for the night in the third quarter after struggling in the first half as his mentor, Hornets guard Tony Parker, picked his pocket twice. Ntilikina also suffered a sprain and said his status for Sunday at Indiana was up in the air.
Fizdale called it the sprain “mild.’’
The Knicks already were without Damyean Dotson (shoulder) and Allonzo Trier (hamstring). Trey Burke (sprained knee) and Lance Thomas (knee surgery) also have been out an extended time. Though they are getting closer, neither may be back by Sunday.
All the injuries left Fizdale with eight healthy players.
Courtney Lee came alive Friday after his G-League stint. Playing his fourth game, Lee played a good second half, finishing with seven points and six rebounds. Lee may take one more G-League game to get in shape, but he laughed at the modest life of the minors.
“Different hotels,’’ Lee said. “We’re kind of spoiled. We’re used to staying in the Four Seasons and Ritz. They stay at Holiday Inns and stuff like that. They fly commercial. We have our own charter plane.
“Before games we have a spread out game day where you have breakfast, brunch, meals before you leave. When you get there, they have healthy snacks before the game and afterwards. There, we had a jar of peanut butter and jelly you can make on your own. Some bananas and oranges. That’s pretty much it.’’
Hornets center Willy Hernangomez, whom the Knicks traded last season, did not play.