Rookie Porzingis scores 29 in Knicks win over Hornets

NEW YORK – Rookie Kristaps Porzingis scored a season-high 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and the New York Knicks beat the Charlotte Hornets 102-94 on Tuesday night (Wednesday in Manila).

 

Less than a week after he just missed beating the Hornets when his 3-pointer was ruled after the buzzer, Porzingis couldn't be denied by Charlotte defenders or the clock in the 20-year-old Latvian's biggest moment in the NBA.

 

The slender, 7-foot-3 forward who was thunderously booed when the Knicks drafted him with the No. 4 pick had fans chanting ''Por-zing-is! Por-zing-is!'' in the fourth quarter, shortly after his three-point play following an offensive rebound gave the Knicks a 93-81 lead.

 

Carmelo Anthony added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks. Arron Afflalo scored 16.

 

Kemba Walker scored a season-high 31 points for the Hornets, but reigning Eastern Conference player of the week Nicolas Batum had only one basket and four points.