Precious Achiuwa checked in for the first time this season just two minutes into the second quarter Thursday to appreciative applause from the Garden crowd.
The Bronx product was active with the Knicks for the first time this season after missing 21 games with a hamstring issue.
Achiuwa played 12 minutes and had two points and four rebounds in the Knicks' 125-101 win over the Hornets.
“[The reception] It means a lot to me. Of course, New York is very important to me,” Achiuwa later said. “So just being able to go out and hear the crowd meant a lot to me.
“It was definitely very tough watching from the sideline, but just being able to go out there and know that the crowd was behind me throughout the whole process was very reassuring.”
The versatile big man, who played center and power forward last season after being traded from the Raptors in late December, has not played since suffering a left hamstring strain during the Knicks' final preseason game on Oct. 1. I couldn't do it anymore.
“I was really happy to be out there. It was a long road, a long process before I left. It wasn't fun at all, but it felt really good to be out there,” Achiuwa said. “It was a long process that lasted hours and hours every day. … Sure, there were times when I thought I was ready, but to be honest, it's something that can last a long time, so you have to be very careful.” I had to.
“Everyone has been very supportive, understanding that we have to take our time and make sure everything heals.”
With Achiuwa back, backup center Jericho Sims played just three minutes.
Cam Payne was placed on the injury report with a suspected effusion in his left elbow and was removed from the lineup.
As the main backcourt tandem of the second unit, Payne (8.2 points per game) and Miles McBride (11.3 points) are averaging nearly 20 points combined.
Payne also missed four games earlier this season with a hamstring issue.
The Knicks have designated rookie Pacome Dadiette to the G League Westchester.
LaMelo Ball (calf), Miles Bridges (knee), Tre Mann (back) and Grant Williams missed the game against Charlotte.
