BOSTON — Knicks coach David Fizdale flip-flopped Friday morning and decided to sic Frenchman Frank Ntilikina on star Celtics point guard Kemba Walker, after all.
While the Knicks dropped the 104-102 decision on a last-second shot by Jayson Tatum, Ntilikina held his own, highlighted by his chasedown block of Marcus Smart in the first half.
Ntilikina scored 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting, hit 2 of 4 3-pointers, dished out two assists with three rebounds.
“Confidence and just playing free and not worry about anything,’’ Fizdale said of Ntilikina’s play. “He’s just doing the job I’m asking him to do, and I’m really proud how he’s going about it.