The New York Knicks experienced a tumultuous weekend, showcasing both their vulnerabilities and strengths. Friday night’s embarrassing 126-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden was a stark contrast to Sunday’s impressive 140-106 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The OKC game exposed some of the Knicks’ ongoing struggles. Despite a promising start, the team faltered in the fourth quarter, allowing the Thunder to outscore them by 20 points. This collapse highlighted defensive miscommunications, poor offensive execution, and an inability to counter OKC’s five-out strategy effectively.
One concerning trend is the Knicks’ performance against top-tier teams. They’re currently 0-5 against teams with better records and 9-11 against .500 or better teams. This includes a 1-6 record against the top eight teams in the NBA, raising questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.
However, Sunday’s game against the Bucks showed the Knicks’ resilience and offensive firepower. Jalen Brunson’s 44-point performance in under 29 minutes was particularly impressive, demonstrating his ability to exploit defensive mismatches and knock down tough shots.
Karl-Anthony Towns also shined against Milwaukee, contributing 30 points and 18 rebounds. The duo of Brunson and Towns, currently the sixth-highest scoring pair in the NBA, proved their potential to carry the team offensively.
Despite these positives, concerns remain about the consistency of wings Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. Both players have struggled with their three-point shooting lately, with Bridges, in particular, showing defensive lapses that are uncharacteristic for a player who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting last season.
The Knicks’ ability to bounce back from the OKC loss with a dominant win over Milwaukee is encouraging. However, questions persist about whether this team can consistently compete with the NBA’s elite and make a deep playoff run.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ recent performances, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
• Jalen Brunson’s injury scare and quick return against Milwaukee
• The impact of Mitchell Robinson’s absence on the Knicks’ defense
• Josh Hart’s consistent contributions in both games
