Austin Rivers, who has labeled his future with the Knicks as uncertain, was not seen on the bench at the Garden Saturday night during their 110-107 victory over the Pacers.
Rivers was taken out of rotation when the Knicks acquired Derrick Rose in a transaction earlier this month. Then, in another bad turn, Rivers was passed to Frank Ntilikina in Thursday’s win over the Kings after Elfrid Payton went down with a hamstring injury.
A Knicks official said Rivers was in the yard but was treated in the back for a painful ankle. Rivers was not listed in the pregame injury report filed with the NBA. Rivers was listed on the box score with a DNP-Coach’s Decision.
Earlier this week, Rivers said of his situation, “I can’t control whether I’m trading today, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow. What I can determine is what I am like as a player. ”
Rivers has made two guest appearances in garbage for a total of five minutes over the past nine games. Against Sacramento, he was the only Knick not to come into play.
Interestingly, after Taj Gibson sprained an ankle during Saturday’s game, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said President Leon Rose will “look at the available players.” The Knicks could be in position to let a player down. refrain from drawing a center.
Rivers signed a three-year deal in November, but only the first is guaranteed. He has played in 21 games.