New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale appeared to have a noteworthy miscommunication with his best player this week, but he insists the confusion has been cleared up.
Kristaps Porzingis is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last season, and Fizdale told reporters earlier this week that the big man is at the stage in his rehab where he has been able to do some light running but no sprinting. Hours after Fizdale made the remarks, Porzingis shared the following photos on his Instagram story:
“ porzingis hasn’t ran since surgery” …….porzingis- pic.twitter.com/68xv2FKnYV
— (@WoodinNYK) November 9, 2018
That was an obvious response to what Fizdale told the media, and the coach admitted on Friday that he was unaware Porzingis had been running sprints. He said he believes the former No. 4 overall pick was frustrated that people thought his rehab was progressing slowly.
David Fizdale said he wasn't aware that Kristaps Porzingis has been sprinting. He spoke to Porzingis about it today and said they are on the same page and in a good place.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) November 9, 2018
David Fizdale said he thought Kristaps Porzingis’ Instagram post was a result of frustration over the perception that he wasn’t working hard during his ACL rehab. “He took it personally. It got to him that people would think that.” Again, Fizdale and Porzingis spoke this morning.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) November 9, 2018
It still remains unclear when Porzingis will return, but he obviously wants the world to know he is making progress. While there has been plenty of talk about him sitting out the entire season, the latest report sounded a bit more optimistic.
