CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Basketball without Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. went well against the Thunder.
Two days later, it was an utter embarrassment.
Porzingis was a gameday scratch again because of a sore knee and the Knicks were run out of the gym Monday by the Hornets, 109-91.
New York (16-14), which had a four-game winning streak snapped, came out sluggish and paid for it, succumbing to a 43-14 Hornets run between the first and second quarters and fell in a 25-point hole.
Unlike the previous two games _ victories over the Nets and Thunder _ the absences of the Knicks' two best players proved insurmountable. They shot just 42 percent, missing wide open runners, jumpers and layups from all over the floor. They also struggled on the glass while getting out-rebounded, 47-37, and outscored in second-chance points, 18-0.
The defeat dropped the Knicks to 2-9 on the road, an ominous sign since they start a stretch of 25 games with 19 on the road after Christmas.
Charlotte (11-19), winners of just three of its last 13 games, took a 20-19 lead nine minutes into the first quarter and never relinquished the advantage. The Hornets have struggled this season but are still much more talented than this version of the Knicks.
Dwight Howard (11 points, 10 rebounds), Kemba Walker (nine points, six assists), Frank Kaminsky (24 points, 10-for-13 shooting) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (15 points, nine rebounds) paced the home team.
Beasley, who started in place of Porzingis at power forward, led the Knicks with 23 points but required 20 shots to get there and was a liability on defense. Still, Hornacek went to Beasley often because no other Knick could create his own shot.
"Obviously, K.P. averages 26 points a game so we need somebody to pick up that slack," Hornacek said. "Some of the stuff we run for KP, (Beasley) can slide right into that stuff. It's not like we have to change everything. He can go into those same plays. We're not all of a sudden having to mix different things in there just to get him the points."
Turns out, Beasley couldn't come close to making up for Porzingis' rim protection on defense and ability to draw double teams on offense.
Prior to the game, Porzingis said he's still dealing with pain _ or "a pinch" _ in his left knee. Monday represented Porzingis' second straight DNP after sustaining the injury in a victory over the Nets on Thursday. Just like he did Saturday, Porzingis went through the morning shootaround before determining he shouldn't play.
"He said he felt the same thing (in his knee)," coach Jeff Hornacek said.
What exactly is wrong with Porzingis _ or what he risks by playing _ is largely a mystery. After diagnosing it as a sore knee, the Knicks did not give Porzingis an MRI. The 22-year-old said he wanted to play Saturday in Carmelo Anthony's return to the Garden, but the team doctor convinced him otherwise.
"Doctors checked me out. I trust the doctors," he said. "I don't think it's necessary to do a test. It's a sore knee and a little bit of swelling."
The Knicks have two off-days before their next game Thursday at home against the Celtics, but Hornacek said the opportunity for extended rest didn't factor into the decision. The Knicks are now 1-5 without Porzingis.
