There does not appear to be a miscommunication between David Fizdale and Kristaps Porzingis this time around.

The Knicks star forward recently told GQ he was close to returning that he could "taste it," and on Sunday, Fizdale seemed to share that sentiment.

The Knicks head coach spoke with much more optimism about Porzingis than he did two weeks ago and left the door open for the 23-year-old to return this season but cautioned that Porzingis is not cleared to practice just yet.

"I don't think it's at that place [of returning to practice]," Fizdale said, per the New York Post. "At some point, I would think. I know he's feeling better. Obviously his progress, we're all excited about every step he takes forward. The trainers are keeping me in the loop as possible while letting me focus at the same time so I don't get my hopes up for [Porzingis] too soon. But hopefully, the sooner the better."

It is a much different tone from two weeks ago, when Fizdale suggested Porzingis had not begun sprinting in his recovery from ACL surgery. Porzingis responded by posting photos on Instagram of himself sprinting which led to a conversation between the two to clear the air and get on the same page.

Fizdale ruled out the possibility of Porzingis practicing as early as Thanksgiving, but confirmed what Porzingis told GQ about doing contact drills. However, Fizdale clarified they were being done with the training staff and not with other players.

"We're still going to stay with the idea that until it feels 100 percent to he, I and the Knicks, that we're not going to put him in jeopardy to get hurt agian," Fizdale said. "We want to do it the right way by him and also the best thing for our team."

Popular in the Community