Drummond’s Knicks Debut Shows Promise and Workload Questions

Andre Drummond’s New York Knicks debut showed both the value and the limits of his early role, as he posted 12 points and 14 rebounds in a season-opening loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. The veteran center played 24 minutes, more than planned after Karl-Anthony Towns encountered early foul trouble, and faded in the second half, coach Mike Brown said. Drummond also recorded four assists, two blocks and one steal. He scored 10 points and collected 12 rebounds before halftime, giving him a double-double in the opening half. The Knicks’ public-relations account said the mark was the first first-half double-double by a New York player in a season opener during the play-by-play era, which began in 1996-97. Brown said Drummond played with energy and was very effective before the break. But the coach said the center appeared to tire later, and that New York may have kept him on the floor too long. Drummond managed two rebounds in the second half and missed three of four attempts from within five feet, according to the game account. The coach said Towns’ foul trouble forced the Knicks to use Drummond more than expected. Brown said he would continue evaluating the center’s workload to...