Austin Rivers, who has labeled his future with the Knicks as uncertain, was not seen on the bench during any part of their 110-107 victory over the Pacers on Saturday night at the Garden.
Rivers was taken out of the rotation when the Knicks acquired Derrick Rose in a trade earlier this month. Then, in another bad twist, Rivers was bypassed for Frank Ntilikina in Thursday’s win over the Kings after Elfrid Payton went down with a hamstring injury.
A Knicks official said Rivers was at the Garden, but in the back getting treatment for a sore ankle. Rivers was not listed on the pregame injury report submitted to the NBA. On the box score, Rivers was listed with a DNP-Coach’s Decision.
Earlier this week, Rivers said of his situation: “I can’t control if I’m traded today, tomorrow or the next day. What I can control is how I am as a player.’’
Rivers has made two cameo appearances in garbage time for a total of five minutes over the past nine games. Against Sacramento, he was the lone Knick not to get into the game.
Interestingly, after Taj Gibson sprained an ankle during Saturday’s game, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said president Leon Rose “will look into players that are available.’’ The Knicks could be in position to have to waive a player to sign a center.
Rivers was signed in November to a three-year deal, but only the first is guaranteed. He has played in 21 games.