Allonzo Trier finally found his way back into the Knicks' lineup in their blowout against the Bucks on Sunday night after posted DNPs in the previous two. And unfortunately for him, that has been common of late.
Trier's name hasn't come up a lot for the Knicks, and that is probably due to the fact that he has only played in two of the last 10 games. He had six straight DNPs before David Fizdale played him for seven minutes against the Raptors on Nov. 27.
In fact, Trier has only played in 10 of the Knicks' 21 games this season, and the logjam in the backcourt is the main reason why.
But he isn't letting that weigh him down. When he does get the opportunity, Trier is still ready to make the best of it.
"I come in every day, do my job and work on my game to try to get better," he told The Post's Marc Berman. "When I get in the game, I try to be a factor. If I'm not in the game, I try to spread knowledge and be a cheerleader."
Trier broke out last season as an undrafted rookie for New York, proving that he deserves a spot in the league with his knack for winning 1-on-1 matchups, which earned him his "IsoZo" monicker. He scored 10.9 points per game with 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists over 22.8 minutes.
This season, though, Trier is only averaging 13.6 minutes per game, while averaging 7.7 points. His field goal percentage are solid, too, at 51.2 percent overall and 46.2 percent from three.
Still, players like Wayne Ellington have played more off the bench than Trier, and it's something he hasn't complained about, but rather owned up to.
"You take it head on," Trier said. "Be prepared whenever that time is, continue to work and get better and help this team if I'm playing or not. I got to accept that. They tell me to stay ready."
Ellington is 32 years old, and after signing one of the Knicks' very flexible two-year deals this summer, he shouldn't be considered part of the team's future. Trier, on the other hand, proved himself as someone who could be a solid future piece last season.
But he has had the opportunity to prove that with an even better sophomore season. Instead, he is unsure whether or not he'll even touch the court on gameday.