Knicks players endured a bit of honesty Monday night when coach Jeff Hornacek pondered whether the team has enough talent after a 115-103 loss to the Magic.
"I don't think our guys aren't trying. Maybe we're just not capable of it. I don't know," Hornacek said, via ESPN.com. "That's what we're going to have to figure out. Maybe you have to play some of these other guys. We might have to mix the lineup up somehow."
In fairness, New York was without star forward Kristaps Porzingis for the second straight game because of an Achilles injury. Yet, Hornacek's anger seems to have been boiling with some unsavory performances in recent games.
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"I have to find someone to play some defense," Hornacek said. "You can't come out beginning of the game — I think their first three or four baskets were 3-pointers. We've got to have better pride in that."
Entering Monday's game, the Magic were averaging just 99 points per game, and they played without shooting guard Evan Fournier because of a heel injury. The defensive letdown caused the Knicks to lose their fifth straight game.
Porzingis is expected back Wednesday against the Bucks to try to spark some life back into the Knicks.