Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis leaves game with strained neck

Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis left Monday’s game against the Spurs after Carmelo Anthony landed on the big man’s head during a loose ball situation.

Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis left Monday’s game against the Spurs with a strained neck after Carmelo Anthony landed on the big man’s head during a loose ball situation.

The team said later that the injury is to the soft tissue in his neck and X-rays were negative. He does not have a concussion and will be re-evaluated on Tuesday. 

Porzingis was injured with three minutes left in New York’s loss when Anthony was tripped up while trying to lay the ball in. He stayed down on the ground for a few moments before heading off to the locker room.

Porzingis recorded his first NBA double double in the game, with 13 points and 14 rebounds in 24 minutes of action. He also had a highlight put-back dunk over LaMarcus Aldridge.

Porzingis, a 20-year-old from Latvia, has started each of the Knicks’ four games this season. He was taken with the fourth pick in the 2015 draft.

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