DENVER — Kristaps Porzingis acknowledged his lone shot at knocking off Minnesota stud Karl-Anthony Towns for Rookie of the Year is if the Knicks pull off a miracle and make the playoffs.

The 7-foot-3 Latvian rookie, called a “unicorn” by Kevin Durant, is coming off a February in which he lost out on Eastern Conference Player of the Month to Indiana forward Myles Turner. Porzingis’ defense, rebounding and shotblocking are in decline.

And interim coach Kurt Rambis’ recent remark that Porzingis may have lost a step on defense because of the rookie wall was held up when the Knicks played one of their best all-around games of the season Saturday in routing Detroit as Porzingis sat with a bruised shin. He is questionable for Tuesday night’s game in Denver.

“It will be tough because Karl is just playing unbelievably,” Porzingis said at Monday’s practice in the suburbs of Denver. “The only option for me is for us to make the playoffs. That’s the main goal. If we play well, I’ll have an opportunity to get it. If we make the playoffs, then it will happen.”

Considering that a .500 record will likely be needed to snatch the 8th seed, the Knicks would have to finish 15-3. More likely the Knicks will lose any mathematical chance of posting a winning record for the season during this six-game Denver-Phoenix-Lakers-Clippers-Warriors-Washington trip.

Porzingis and Turner share the same agent — Andy Miller — so the Knicks rookie was happy for the Pacers forward to win the monthly award. Porzingis had copped November, December and January. Towns has swept all four rookie monthly awards in the Western Conference.

In February, Porzingis averaged 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.

”Scoring-wise, it was a decent month for me, but Myles had a really good month,’’ Porzingis said. “But it was team success that didn’t help me. Myles played really well. I’m happy for him.’’

Porzingis said he’s preparing to play when the Knicks (26-38) start the trip Tuesday vs. the Nuggets in the high altitude. One aspect he’s trying to fix is his offensive rebounding numbers.

“Teams are paying a little bit more attention to my offensive rebounding. Another reason is that the level is higher just because teams are competing more,” Porzingis said. “There are more guys going for offensive rebounds, so I’m worrying more about boxing my guy out and not just grabbing the rebound. The first part of the season I would rebound, I was wide open. Nobody was there. I’d just take it.”

Porzingis didn’t scrimmage at Monday’s practice, and Rambis said it’s the medical staff’s decision on whether he plays. The injury occurred Friday in Boston when he got kicked.

Porzingis was a little surprised by Rambis’ evaluation of his defense. He admitted he may be still adjusting to pick-and-roll defenses, but that’s not affecting his shotblocking.

“Some games you get blocks and have opportunities, some games you just don’t,’’ Porzingis said. “Maybe some part I’ve been a little too slow, but I’ve tried to stay active as I can. I love blocking shots. Maybe I got to block some shots and prove it to the coach I can still block somebody.”

Rambis would like to evolve Porzingis into playing center so he can use him when the club goes small down the stretch of games. That’s why he was benched in Boston in the fourth quarter. But defensively it’s an issue.

“Playing 4 and 5, I enjoy playing both positions,’’ Porzingis said. “I got to be able to guard both positions. Once I’m able to do that, I’ll be able to play whatever position I want to.’’