At least Ron Baker will be back.

Though rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina will miss his third straight preseason game Monday against the Rockets with his right-knee bruise, Baker is scheduled to make his preseason debut at the Garden.

The bright light of last season as an undrafted rookie, Baker’s second training camp has been disastrous, burdened by a severe left ankle sprain he first injured before Labor Day.

The combo guard’s travails have flown under the radar because of Ntilkina’s health, but the Knicks made a heavy investment in the former Wichita State standout. At the stroke of midnight on July 1, the Knicks surprised the basketball world by lavishing Baker with a two-year deal starting at the “room exception’’ — $4.1 million.

Baker gets a chance Monday to show why the Knicks regime and coach Jeff Hornacek believe in him so much.

“Obviously people know what I bring to the table,’’ Baker said before missing his third straight game as the Knicks were blown out 117-83 by the Nets at Barclays Center. “It stinks I can’t display the things I worked on this summer right now. There’ll be times this year I’ll be able to do that. Right now the most important thing is get healthy for the regular season, so I can get out there [Monday] and get quality minutes and work on things I’ll see a lot this year.’’

Hornacek and ousted president Phil Jackson fell in love with Baker last season for his defensive fortitude and saw potential as a playmaker/perimeter shooter. If Ntilikina experiences an injury-plagued campaign, Baker, who shot 37.8 percent, could be used more at point guard.

As Baker huddled with reporters in the locker room before Sunday night’s game, Hornacek playfully snatched a tape recorder, stuck it in his face and asked: “Ron Baker, when are you going to start playing again?’’

Playing the final two exhibitions, Baker believes, will have him ready for the season opener Oct. 19 in Oklahoma City. The Steve Mills/Scott Perry brain trust has Baker listed as part of the team’s young core.

“I hope they believe in me a lot,’’ Baker said. “I obviously believe in the franchise and the players in it. Coach believes in me.’’

After hurting the ankle in early September, Baker reinjured it on the opening of two-a-days, in the night session, and barely has practiced with the club since.

“Rest is really not what I need,’’ Baker said. “I just need reps. You kind of lose your rhythm if you’re out two, three weeks at a time.”

Ntilikina seems unconcerned about missing three of the first four preseason games, which comes after not playing in summer league because of a knee issue. The 19-year-old is taking a long-range view.

Ntilkina bruised his knee in a collision with Enes Kanter in the preseason opener against the Nets.

“It’s smart for me to be healthy for the whole season,’’ Ntilikina said. “I think I’ve been putting a lot of work in training camp with the team. I trust the work and what I’ve been doing all my life. Maybe the first week it will be difficult, but it’s the process and I trust it.’’

The Knicks lottery pick said “a little swelling” still exists. He should be ready for the preseason finale against the Wizards on Friday when he finally can face John Wall after sitting out the game in Washington.

“I hope I’m going to play,’’ Ntilikina said. “If it’s not ready, it’s not ready.’’

Ntilikina said he saw the Washington game on TV and said Wall’s “very interesting.’’

Nets coach Kenny Atkinson coached Tim Hardaway Jr. in Atlanta for one season.

“I’d say No. 1, defensively he really improved,’’ Atkinson said. “When we first came to us, he struggled on the defensive end. He improved tremendously there and the second part was he got in elite shape, elite condition and they go hand in hand — defense and conditioning.’’