Jeff Hornacek isn’t buying Stan Van Gundy’s Knicks schedule theory

Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek is not buying into Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy's conspiracy theories.

Following a 104-101 loss to the Pistons on Friday, the Knicks’ road record dropped to 2-10 but they still hold a 17-15 record and are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, which led Van Gundy to offer some commentary on the Knicks' schedule.

"A cynical person — which I'm not — would say the league tried to help them and build some confidence at the beginning of the year by giving them a lot of home games and giving them a chance to get going and pick up some confidence," he said. "That's what a cynical person would say. Not me. It's just by chance they got so many home games early on."

When asked about it, Hornacek said he had no reaction.

"You play 82," he said. "You play 41 at home and 41 on the road, so…."

The Knicks play 16 of their next 20 games on the road following Monday's matchup against the Sixers, but Hornacek is not worried about the road woes.

"I think the road games give us an opportunity. I don't consider it a crossroads," he said. "It might give us a chance to get a little rhythm on the road. When we're playing one game in, then we're back home, then five days later we go out on another one game trip, sometimes you can't get into a rhythm. … I look at this as an opportunity for us to grow and compete."

FRANKLY SPEAKING

Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina will get his first taste of playing on Christmas and the 19-year-old said it takes on a little extra importance for him.

"Very excited," he said. "Back in France I was watching all the Christmas games all these years and now to being a part of it and to play it, it means a lot to me. So I'm excited about this game, and with this team we will do what we can do to win."

Ntilikina will also be matching up against fellow rookie Ben Simmons. It will be the first time the two will play against each other and could present for a rivalry to come over the next few years, yet Ntilikina does not see it that way.

"I don't think that much about it," he said. "Honestly, I just think about the game and what will happen tomorrow and this week. Not that much about what will happen in many years. I'm just focused on what we have to do right now so I don't think that much about it."

INJURY UPDATES

Knicks center Kyle O'Quinn did not participate in Sunday's practice due to an illness. He is probable for Monday's game against the 76ers. Guard Courtney Lee also did not participate and was absent due to a personal reason. He is expected to be with the team on Monday.