New York @ Charlotte preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 14, 2018 ) New York 126, Charlotte 124

The Charlotte Hornets hope to have All-Star guard Kemba Walker in the lineup Monday when they host the New York Knicks. Walker left Friday's loss at Milwaukee due to a neck strain after Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo landed on him, and the Hornets' leader did not practice Sunday.

"No practice so far. He's sore right now, but I think he's going to be OK," coach James Borrego told reporters of Walker on Sunday. "We'll know more tomorrow." The 108-99 loss to the Bucks capped a 1-2 road trip for Charlotte, which will be playing just its fourth home game of the month Monday. The Knicks are in a brutal spiral that has seen them lose nine in a row and 22 of 24, with one of the two wins in that span coming at Charlotte. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 points while his fellow starters combined for just 16 in Sunday's 106-97 loss to Miami at home.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FS Southeast (Charlotte)

ABOUT THE KNICKS (10-38): Struggling second-year guard Frank Ntilikina made his second straight start Sunday but he was forced to leave the contest due to a groin injury after producing six points, four assists and zero turnovers in 15 minutes. "He had a huge impact on the first half," coach David Fizdale told the media of the 20-year-old Ntilikina. "Guarding the ball, getting people involved, being aggressive himself." Veteran center Enes Kanter, averaging a double-double, did not get off the bench for the third straight game as he remains out of Fizdale's game plan.

ABOUT THE HORNETS (23-25): Charlotte led by 12 points with under 10 minutes remaining at Milwaukee before going ice cold. "Thought we played really well last game, against Milwaukee," Borrego told the media. "We probably controlled that game for 40 to 42 minutes of it. And we just couldn't close it out." Walker finished with 10 points, his lowest total since Dec. 15, on 3-of-12 shooting while backcourt mate Jeremy Lamb was 5-of-18 from the floor.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Knicks won 126-124 in overtime at Charlotte last month while holding Walker and Lamb to a combined 13-of-41 from the floor.

2. New York rookie SG Allonzo Trier is averaging 16.8 points over his last five games while making 6-of-11 from 3-point range and 24-of-25 free throws.

3. Charlotte C Bismack Biyombo is averaging 10.3 rebounds and shooting 65 percent over his last four games.

PREDICTION: Hornets 113, Knicks 102