Austin Rivers, who rated his future with the Knicks as uncertain, was not seen on the bench during any part of the 110-107 victory over the Pacers on Saturday night at the Garden.
Rivers was pulled from the rotation when the Knicks acquired Derrick Rose in a deal earlier this month. Then, in another twist, Rivers was bypassed by Frank Ntilikina in Thursday’s victory over the Kings after Elfrid Payton fell with a hamstring injury.
A Knicks official said Rivers was at the Garden, but in the back receiving treatment for an ankle pain. Rivers was not listed in the injury report before the NBA game. In the box score, Rivers was listed with a DNP-Coach decision.
Earlier this week, Rivers said of his situation: “I cannot control whether I am traded today, tomorrow or the day after. What I can control is how I am as a player. ”
Rivers made two appearances in the trash time for a total of five minutes in the last nine games. Against Sacramento, he was the only Knick not to enter the game.
Interestingly, after Taj Gibson sprained an ankle during Saturday’s game, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said President Leon Rose “will look at the players who are available.”
Rivers signed a three-year contract in November, but only the first is guaranteed. He played in 21 games.