All signs pointed to Knicks rookie center Willy Hernangomez sitting out for a fourth straight game.
Coach Jeff Hornacek, however, threw in a surprise and finally used the preseason sensation late in the third quarter Wednesday — and he may not be able to bench him again.
The second-round pick scored 14 points in 14:41, blocked two shots, had a steal and grabbed six rebounds in a 110-96 victory over the Nets at the Garden. Hernangomez was part of the Knicks’ game-busting second unit along with fellow Europeans Sasha Vujacic and Mindaugas Kuzminskas, who blew the game open in the fourth quarter with their speed and energy.