Knicks’ Porzingis with sprained right ankle, X-rays were negative

Kristaps Porzingis needed to be helped off the floor and into the locker room after suffering an injury to his right ankle less than three minutes into Wednesday’s game against the Heat at the Garden.

The Knicks said Porzingis sprained his right ankle. X-rays were negative, but the Knicks said he would not return to the game.

Porzingis, who ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring averaging at 27 points per game, made his first two shots Wednesday.

Porzingis was chasing a loose ball near the baseline when Miami guard Justise Winslow stepped on the Latvian’s planted foot. Porzingis’ foot bent then to an unnatural angle as he tumbled to the floor. His leg was outstretched so he couldn’t roll his 7-3 body with the fall, making it look worse.

Teammate Jarrett Jack saw the aftermath and immediately called over the Knicks coaches. Porzingis then limped off the court with his arms draped around two staff members.

Porzingis has taken great care to prevent injuries this season, resting more often and maintaining a protein-packed diet to keep his weight up. But as Wednesday proved – yet again – injuries are unpredictable. Especially the acute ones.

In his two-plus years with the Knicks, Porzingis has been hampered by problems with Achilles, shoulder, back and knee. But none of the injuries were as obvious – or looked as painful -- as the ankle turn Wednesday just 150 seconds into the game. Porzingis had even made his first two shots before Winslow stepped on his foot.

Without Porzingis, the Knicks closed the first half with a 65-44 lead thanks to a huge effort from Enes Kanter, who in his return from injury had 18 points and 13 rebounds in the half. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 12 points.

In an on-court interview at the end of the half, Kanter said he had yet to talk to Porzingis but offered an optimistic assessment.

“He’ll be fine,” Kanter said. “He’s a tough dude.”