It appears there is no patience left for New York Knicks shooting guard Alec Burks. He has seen his minutes decline over time and has now recorded two consecutive healthy DNPs. The Knicks are benefiting from the decision, as they secured two big wins over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday and the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
Burks’ struggles since returning to New York in a trade with the Detroit Pistons have been profound. In 22 games with the Knicks this season, he is averaging just 6.5 points on 30% shooting from the field, the lowest field goal percentage in the entire NBA since Feb. 8 on players who have attempted at least seven field goals per game (minimum 15 games played), according to StatMuse.
As a result, his playing time has declined, going from averaging just over 16 minutes in his first 10 games as a Knick to just 11 minutes per game since. With Miles McBride’s breakthrough, the need for Burks has diminished, and OG Anunoby’s return from an elbow injury has forced him to become the odd man out in coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation as the playoffs approach.