Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe here, the host of the daily Locked On Knicks podcast, with your daily Locked On Knicks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Knicks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Knicks’ Defensive Struggles and Offensive Highlights Against the Pacers
Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) celebrates a call in front of New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images|Trevor Ruszkowski/Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks faced a challenging game against the Indiana Pacers, falling 132-121. Despite the loss, there were notable performances and areas for improvement that stood out. The Pacers’ exceptional three-point shooting was a significant factor, with the Knicks struggling to contain their perimeter offense. This game mirrored a previous matchup against the Boston Celtics, where the Knicks faced similar defensive challenges.
Defensive Concerns
The Knicks’ defense needs to address its vulnerability to three-point shooting. The Pacers capitalized on this weakness, with players like Miles Turner and Pascal Siakam finding open shots. Turner, in particular, had a standout performance, hitting five three-pointers. Historically, Turner has had success against the Knicks, making five or more threes in three of their matchups, with only 11 such games to his name in his career. The Knicks must develop a more effective perimeter defense strategy to prevent opponents from getting hot from beyond the arc.
Offensive Bright Spots
On the offensive side, Jalen Brunson delivered an impressive performance with 33 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds. His ability to facilitate and score was evident, showcasing his growth in processing plays and finding open teammates. Brunson’s partnership with Karl-Anthony Towns in the pick-and-pop game showed promise, offering a glimpse of a strategy that could be more frequently utilized.
Towns also had a strong showing, contributing 30 points and nine rebounds. His aggressive approach against Turner’s defense was commendable, as he attacked the basket and drew fouls. Towns’ ability to score both inside and from the perimeter adds a valuable dimension to the Knicks’ offense.
While the Knicks’ defense struggled, their offensive potential was on display. Brunson’s playmaking and Towns’ scoring ability are key components that can drive the team forward. However, improving perimeter defense and finding consistency in three-point shooting will be crucial for future success.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ performance, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
- Analysis of OG Anunoby’s defensive impact
- Mikhail Bridges’ shooting struggles and potential solutions
- Josh Hart’s contributions and efficiency
- Discussion on the Knicks’ rotation and potential adjustments
37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists. The first NBA player to reach these numbers in a game, and Nikola Jokic did it on a Sunday night in Denver, snowy pockets of flurries settling over the city. I wish I’d been collecting these stat lines all along, or had thought to make a note on the calendar when they happened. I’d like to see if there’s a pattern, though I’ve got a hunch that the dates would come to mean less than what the volume of them proves: in Jokic’s hands, the unprecedented becomes routine.
It starts with his skill, we know this. But let’s zero in on how he carries himself around the floor, how he moves. Jokic lopes, jogs, shuffles, occasionally bops, tends to move laterally more than he does in a direct line. It all serves to create an illusion that he’s slow and behind the pace. It’s why so many have a difficult time categorizing what it is he’s doing — he doesn’t work the way a basketball player does, tends to be the refrain. It’s because he looks, most of the time, relaxed
He can also appear pressed, like there’s someplace else he’d rather be. This is not the kind of approach we like to see from our stars. If they don’t look dialled in, if it doesn’t look strenuous at least some of the time, we tend to distrust their effort and skill. But Jokic’s arduousness is some of my favourite in the league, because it presents at our expense. And indeed, it must be exhausting to prove nearly every night that you can manipulate the game at every level.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Roster Fatigue set in as the Knicks fell 132-121 to the Pacers, struggling with a 6-man rotation. Reinforcements are needed soon. (Posting and Toasting) [Nov 10, 2024]
Analysis In the fourth quarter, the Knicks’ starters looked exhausted, highlighting a recurring issue. Can they find a way to keep their energy up? (Posting and Toasting) [Nov 11, 2024]
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Basketball Managers
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Managers
Sunday’s NBA action took a concerning turn for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Chet Holmgren, their promising young centre, suffered a hip injury just five minutes into the game against the Golden State Warriors. This incident has left both the team and fantasy managers in a state of uncertainty, as Holmgren’s presence on the court has been pivotal.
The Impact of Holmgren’s Injury
Holmgren’s injury occurred during an attempt to contest a dunk, resulting in a hard fall that left him limping off the court. The Thunder have since reported it as a hip injury, but the full extent and severity remain unclear. Given Holmgren’s importance to the Thunder’s lineup, any absence could significantly impact their performance, especially considering their current lack of depth at the centre position.
Potential Replacements and Adjustments
In the wake of Holmgren’s injury, the Thunder may need to rely on a smaller lineup, as they did against the Warriors. This could mean increased minutes for players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, who might see more court time and opportunities to contribute. In deeper leagues, Ousmane Dieng could also be considered for a temporary boost, though none are likely to replicate Holmgren’s production. Fantasy managers might consider these short-term pickups, but it’s crucial to temper expectations, as the Thunder’s rotation could remain fluid.
Something Or Nothing: Does The Knicks Defense Actually Suck? + Can Mikal Bridges Find His Shot?
Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe play a new Knicks theme’d version of “Something Or Nothing?” by running through six stats/trends (and one conspiracy theory) that have defined the team’s early season. Is the defense really this bad? Did Mikal Bridges really forget how to shoot threes while becoming Kevin Durant in the mid-range? Has Josh Hart transformed into an elite pick and roll operator?
The Knicks Cruise Past the Wizards | Are They Clicking At Just the Right Time?
Alex goes solo to break down the Knicks’ drubbing of the Wizards, including huge performances from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, some much-needed rest for the starters, and the continued emergence of Pacome Dadiet as the Knicks approach a very winnable part of their schedule.
Josh Hart And Karl-Anthony Towns Rip Through Brooklyn And The Knicks Win Again
Well that one was less dramatic! The Knicks again played like the Avatar and found perfect balance in the four elements as four starters finished with at least 20 points in 114-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets that was largely settled midway through the 4th quarter. Gavin Schall breaks down a third straight fantastic night from Josh Hart and the creative ways Tom Thibodeau used him to unlock the Knicks offense before exploring Karl-Anthony Towns deep Cheesecake Factoryesque bag and OG Anunoby punishing the Nets and the rim. We also touch on Pacome Dadiet flashing defensively and deserving more minutes and Mikal Bridges confident shooting.
