Knicks second-year player Kevin Knox saw just 10 minutes of action on Wednesday night in the team's 109-104 loss to the 76ers, as head coach David Fizdale mentioned that the No. 9 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft needs to put the work in on defense.

"I wouldn't call it disappointment at all, but I am definitely riding Kevin, to challenge him to go to another level, especially defensively," Fizdale said. "I think offensively he's starting to figure some things out. His shooting percentage is up, finishing around the rim is much better, he's seeing the floor better. But now I want him to take a big step, a big jump forward defensively. So that's why I'm really being hard on him right now."

Knox scored three points on just one three point shot attempt, while grabbing two rebounds and two assists in his limited action against Philadelphia. The forward from the University of Kentucky is averaging only 8.7 points per game in 21.3 minutes of action this season, but like Fizdale said, his shooting percentages are up -- shooting 40 percent from three in 2019 compared to 35 percent in 2018.

Despite not playing major minutes recently, Knox was still optimistic and agreed with his head coach.

"I mean, yeah it was tough, but I mean it was something that had to be done," Knox said. "Fiz made his decision, so I just made sure I was the best teammate on the bench. Made sure I was cheering my guys on, keeping my guys up. I didn't want to sit at the end of the bench, sulk and cry, and just have an attitude because I wasn't playing. So I had the right mindset going in. Came in the next day, got my work in, watched film on what I need to get better at. So more opportunity come next time, I'll be able to produce."

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