Gavin Schall 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.
Mikal Bridges Shines as New York Knicks Dominate the New Orleans Pelicans
Dec 1, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) celebrates after scoring in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz/Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks delivered a commanding performance against the New Orleans Pelicans, securing a much-needed victory with a score of 118 to 85. Mikal Bridges was the standout player, achieving a Knicks career-high of 31 points. His aggressive play and sharp shooting set the tone early, a major departure from his passive effort last time out against the Hornets.
Bridges’ Breakout Performance
Bridges’ performance was nothing short of spectacular. He started the game with an impressive 13 points in the first quarter, hitting three out of four three-pointers and going five for six from the field. His confidence was evident as he consistently sought out his shot even under duress. Bridges’ also scored three times cutting off of Jalen Brunson driving and drawing help. Perhaps most encouraging Bridges hit two wing threes an area from which he’s been one of the worst shooters in the league this year.
Defensively, Bridges has consistently looked like Allonzo Trier wearing a Mikal Bridges costume for the bulk of this year, but that flipped last night. His point-of-attack defense was excellent on Dejounte Murray and set the town as the Knicks allowed just one point over a nearly nine minute stretch as the Pelicans started an avert your eyes 1-17 from the field.
Team Defense and Strategy
The Knicks’ defense was a collective effort, with the team showing a level of connectedness that had been missing in previous games.
Buoyed by Tom Thibodeau ramping up the aggressiveness of the scheme and having Karl-Anthony Towns defend at the level. Bridges looked far better in screen navigation and the three defenders behind the action made it viable by rotating on a string and buying Bridges and Towns time to recover.
Towns’ rebounding was also a key factor as he tied a team record over the past 28 years with 17 rebounds in the first half, helping the Knicks close out defensive possessions and transition into offense. His rim protection was solid for the second straight game as he was consistently in better position to alter shots.
The Knicks’ defensive strategy was reminiscent of the aggressive style that Chris Finch employed in Minnesota before they traded for Rudy Gobert and led to arguably Towns best defensive season in 2021-22. Towns similar to Julius Randle is a more engaged and explosive defender when he’s enabled to be the aggressor vs. sitting back in drop where he consistently looks heavy footed.
Ultimately the Knicks held a depleted Pelicans side to just 28 points in the first half their best defensive effort in an opening 24 minutes over the past 23 years.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ strategies and player 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 key contributions and playmaking
- OG Anunoby’s defensive prowess and impact
- Josh Hart’s consistent performance and late-game heroics
- Deuce McBride’s impressive stretch and chemistry with teammates
- A preview of the upcoming matchup against the Orlando Magic
December 1, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada/Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
You’d be forgiven if, a quarter of the way through the season (yes), you haven’t given the following teams that much attention. Maybe your main rooting interest has been struggling, and it’s taken all your psychic energy to will them through the slump. Better yet, maybe your team is thriving and you’ve been enjoying the ride. Maybe you’re still looking for a team to get behind, in which case, the following three franchises would make great options.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks being on this list has not alleviated my general wariness of the Hawks as a whole, but they’ve been playing through some of the things that make me doubt them. First, the Hawks love to play up. That is, they tend to excel against technically better and markedly more skilled teams; teams farther along the competitive timeline that I always get they feeling Atlanta would rather emulate than put the work in to be at the same level with.
This season, the Hawks are still playing up — they’ve beat the best in conference Cavaliers twice — but they’re recognizing what should be easy wins, like against the Charlotte Hornets. With Trae Young injured and in and out of the lineup, Atlanta’s bench has provided some of the most needed and entertaining offensive bursts in the league, with De’Andre Hunter back with a vengeance after being out for 10 games with a knee injury. Hunter’s regularly putting up 20-plus points per night, and hounding the glass.
Atlanta has a string of high-low games this week, facing the Pelicans, Bucks, Lakers and Nuggets, which should be an ample test to whether they can play and stay consistent.
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.
Home and Away
Recap Mikal Bridges leads the Knicks to a commanding victory over the Pelicans, showcasing his breakout game and energizing the fanbase with his stellar performance. (Posting and Toasting)
Analysis Karl-Anthony Towns’ return to his vintage rebounding form is analyzed following a positional change with the Knicks, highlighting strategic team adjustments. (NY Post)
Analysis The Knicks reach the season’s quarter mark, with potential and clear areas for improvement underscored, as they navigate the NBA landscape. (NY Post)
Milestone Jimmy Butler misses shot so Bam Adebayo can record a triple-double in Heat win (Bleacher Report)
Tuesday, Dec. 03 | 7:30 PM | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) | Get Tickets
Hornets @ Knicks
Thursday, Dec. 05 | 7:30 PM | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) | Get Tickets
Pistons @ Knicks
Saturday, Dec. 07 | 7:30 PM | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) | Get Tickets
3peat (ICYMI)
BBQ Pelican(s): Jalen Brunson And The New York Knicks TORCH New Orleans JALEN BRUNSON STAND UP!!!! The Knicks captain had his best game of the season on a night where the rest of the team struggled and carried them to a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Join hosts Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe for a recap of Brunson’s electric 3rd quarter, the Knicks bench continuing to struggle on offense, Josh Hart’s big comeback and so much more! Don’t miss this engaging analysis of the Knicks’ evolving strategy and their path to success. Tune in for expert insights and in-depth discussions on the team’s journey.
Karl-Anthony Towns Decimates the Timberwolves in His Return To Minnesota As the Knicks Cruise To a W
Alex and Gavin break down the first matchup between the Knicks and Timberwolves in the Karl-Anthony Towns era, as KAT dominated his former team in his old arena. Plus, Mikal Bridges had his best all-around game as a Knick, the defense played as well as it has all season, Julius Randle was more than a little grumpy at the Knicks and his former teammates, and much more on today’s show!
Can Karl-Anthony Towns And The Knicks Knock Off Some Old Friends? With Locked On Wolves Ben Beecken
he New York Knicks are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in a highly anticipated matchup, with Karl-Anthony Towns’ transition to the Knicks taking center stage.
The boys are joined by Locked On Wolves Host Ben Beecken, to explore Julius Randle not yet being embraced in Minnesota, and Donte DiVincenzo’s ice-cold start before diving into the most surprising parts of Karl-Anthony Towns’ success with the Knicks.
