Circus-act Knicks host Nuggets after Oakley incident
NEW YORK -- Madison Square Garden is recognized as "the world's most famous arena," but when the New York Knicks play there it's turned into a circus-like atmosphere.
The Knicks (22-32) hope to restore order on Friday when they host the Denver Nuggets (23-29) two nights after former Knicks' star Charles Oakley was removed and arrested at the Garden for allegedly screaming at Knicks owner James Dolan during the first quarter of the contest with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Knicks went on to lose 119-115 for the 13th time in the last 18 games.
Dolan instructed security to have Oakley removed, but the former power forward and crowd favorite, had to be restrained by several security guards, striking several of them on his way out of the arena.
According to the New York City Police Department, Oakley, 54, was charged with three counts of assault for hitting security guards and criminal trespassing. Oakley has been out of favor with the Knicks management in recent years for his criticism of the team.
Earlier in the week, Knicks President Phil Jackson took to Twitter to criticize forward Carmelo Anthony, who has been the subject of various trade reports, and in early January star point guard Derrick Rose went AWOL, missing one game while back in his hometown of Chicago.
The off-the-court proceedings haven't come as a shock to first-year coach Jeff Hornacek.
"I kind of, not was warned, but it was expected that it was going to be something all the time," Hornacek said. "And it's lived up to the billing. It's been something all year."
The Knicks are 0-3 in their current five-game homestand -- the longest of the season.
The Nuggets come into the Garden a little banged up. Power forward Kenneth Faried had to leave the first quarter of Wednesday's 117-106 loss to the Atlanta Hawks with a sprained ankle. X-rays were negative and Faried is questionable against the Knicks.
Forward Danilo Gallinari, who was dealt to Denver from the Knicks as part of a three-team trade in 2011 that included Anthony, has been sidelined with a strained groin the past four games. Gallinari leads the Nuggets in scoring and minutes played.
Guard Emmanuel Mudiay is also not expected to suit up on Friday. He's missed the past two games with a lingering back injury. Mudiay, 20, was selected by Denver in the first round of the 2015 draft -- three spots behind the Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis.
Center Nikola Jokic is enjoying a breakout season in Denver. Over the last 29 games, the second-year center from Serbia has posted 19 double-doubles and the first triple-double of his young career. He is averaging 19.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and five assists on 62 percent shooting from the field during this stretch.
"Nikola Jokic will not only be an all-star, he'll be an all-NBA player one day," Nuggets coach Mike Malone told the Denver Post. "I believe that in my heart."
