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.
Knicks Fall to Surging Pistons Despite Bridges’ Resurgence
Jan 13, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) grabs his right thumb after being fouled trying to dunk during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner/Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks suffered a tough loss to the Detroit Pistons, falling 124-119 despite a valiant effort from a rejuvenated Mikal Bridges, another dominant night from Jalen Brunson, and hot shooting across the board.
The Knicks struggled to execute late-game as Karl-Anthony Towns playing through a seemingly badly injured right thumb got called for his third offensive foul on an illegal screen with a minute left and a chance for New York to take their first lead since early in the 3rd quarter.
That play was followed by back-to-back threes for Malik Beasley (who set an MSG record for threes over a two-game stretch on the legendary court) as a product of the Knicks trapping Cade Cunningham and Josh Hart twice rotating off of Beasley and allowing relatively open shots to one of the NBA’s best from distance. The aggressive defense on Cunningham was a product of the former #1 pick absolutely eviscerating the Knicks’ defense to the tune of 29 points in the 2nd half alone.
Ideally, the Knicks would have pre-switched Brunson out of the screening action and allowed OG Anunoby to take on the burden of guarding Cade one-on-one and if one of the best defenders in the world gets beat you live with it vs. the two golden looks spoon-fed to Beasley.
The Knicks were also hampered by 17 turnovers (six by KAT alone), scalding shooting from the Pistons (an insane 50-44-94 shooting split for the game), generally listless play from Anunoby, and poor shooting/defense from KAT down the stretch (0-3 from three in the 4th).
Mikal Bridges Bounces Back
One bright spot for the Knicks was the performance of Mikal Bridges. After arguably his most feeble two-game stretch of the season, Bridges exploded for 27 points on just 13 shots, including a scorching 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. His defensive efforts, particularly early on against Cunningham, were good if not elite.
Other times this year Mikal has made a substantial impact early before ultimately fading down the stretch of games, but that wasn’t the case tonight as he scored 12 points in the 4th quarter on perfect shooting including a monster three with 1:26 to go that cut the Pistons lead to just one.
Jalen Brunson’s Masterclass
Jalen Brunson continued his stellar play, notching 30 points and 11 assists. Despite struggling from three-point range (1-for-7), Brunson’s ability to dictate the game’s pace and make crucial plays down the stretch kept the Knicks competitive throughout.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ performance against the Pistons, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
• Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury concerns and impact on the game
• The Knicks’ bench performance and areas for improvement
• Upcoming challenges with the league’s toughest remaining schedule
Jan 13, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles up court against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. | John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Something I realized last night at the Warriors-Raptors game, perhaps more pressingly than the last time the team was in town a season ago — this thing isn’t going to last forever.
You wouldn’t get that impression from Steph Curry, who takes his pre-game warmup last and happily engages with the fans who show up an hour before tip-off to watch him. Curry’s off-court presence, compared to his superstar contemporaries, has always been demure and private, but watching him revel and work within that outsized adoration is a privilege in itself. No fan in attendance watching him take feathery lob after feathery lob, or take a volleyball spike to the basketball so he could meet it mid-air for a dunk, was thinking about the finite nature of Curry — performer or competitor.
Even if the underlying desire of proximity to greatness stems from the understanding that one day that greatness will no longer exist, that reality doesn’t translate in the moment. In the moment, there’s just Curry, laughing with his coaches, signing the backs of jerseys, going through footwork, prepping for the night’s game.
Where the impression of a dynasty in its final stages becomes more pronounced is through the words of Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. Asked about how difficult it is to maintain a dynasty, and Kerr reverted to Curry.
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.
Analysis TheDetroit Pistons are emerging as a serious surprise story this season. (TSN)
Biz Explosive court documents show co-conspirators and other shocking details in Jontay Porter’s ongoing betting scandal. (The Athletic)
Analysis In a detailed analysis, the Knicks’ recent strategies and team dynamics are dissected, providing insights into their current standing and future prospects. (Posting and Toasting)
Trade According to recent reports, the New York Knicks are actively shopping Jericho Sims. This move suggests potential roster adjustments ahead of the trade deadline. (Posting and Toasting)
Prediction The 2025 NBA Mock Draft offers a comprehensive look at potential picks, with expert predictions and player comparisons highlighting future prospects for the Knicks. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Injury Update: Key Players Sidelined and Return Timelines For Fantasy Basketball
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) attempts a three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we approach the midpoint of the NBA season, injuries continue to play a significant role in shaping team dynamics and fantasy basketball strategies. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most impactful injuries across the league and their potential implications.
The Utah Jazz are once again at the forefront of injury-related drama. Lauri Markkanen’s back spasms and John Collins’ hip issue have raised eyebrows, with many speculating about potential load management strategies. Keyonte George’s heel soreness has kept him out for five consecutive games, while Jordan Clarkson’s plantar fascia injury could potentially end his season. The Jazz’s injury situation is one to monitor closely, as it could lead to increased opportunities for players like Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid’s knee injury has kept him out for four consecutive games. This absence highlights the risks associated with drafting Embiid in the first round of fantasy drafts. With a busy schedule ahead, including back-to-back sets, Embiid’s playing time could be limited even upon his return.
For more insights and a deeper dive into NBA injuries and their fantasy implications, tune into the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
• Portland Trail Blazers injury updates
• Phoenix Suns roster changes and injury concerns
• Orlando Magic’s lengthy injury report and fantasy implications
3peat (ICYMI)
Mikal Bridges And The New York Knicks ANNIHILATE The Memphis Grizzlies
The New York Knicks decimated the Memphis Grizzlies with a commanding 143-106 victory, showcasing their ridiculously high two-way ceiling. Mikal Bridges delivered an exceptional performance, locking down Ja Morant on one end and showing the full breadth of his offensive game on the other. OG Anunoby’s defensive prowess and Karl-Anthony Towns’ strong second-half performance were pivotal, while the Knicks’ bench players, including Precious Achiuwa and Deuce McBride, contributed significantly to the win in their best collective performance of the season. Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe break down the Knicks’ most complete game of the season highlighting key moments and player contributions that could redefine their year.
The Knicks DEMOLISH the Kings In One Of Their Best Offensive Games This Season
Alex goes solo to break down the Knicks 143-120 win over the Kings, one where the Knicks’ offense reached some of its highest highs of this season. Josh Hart notched yet another triple-double, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges both cooked on the same night, and Jalen Brunson showed his floor general chops with another brilliant passing night.
Jalen Brunson And Karl-Anthony Towns Are All-Star Starters! Are They Top 15 Players In The League?
Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe celebrate the Knicks having two All-Star starters for the first time in 50 years! They breakdown the vote and some surprising finishes for the other Knicks before asking a very important question. Are Brunson and KAT both Top 15 players in the league?
