(Stat source: cbssports)
Knicks finished the week of Nov. 13th – Nov. 18th with an even split 2-2. Giving the New York Knicks a record of 8-8, as they try to keep pace with the top dogs in the conference. The Knicks seemed evenly matched with the electric young group of the OKC Thunder with star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting up 37 pts. against the Knicks. The high-scoring game finished in defeat for the Knicks as they came up short 135-145. The Knicks are doing well with player management, and when key players fall, teammates off the bench and other starters seem to come alive. RJ Barrett only had 4 pts. in 19 minutes, but Cam Reddish (26 pts.) and Immanuel Quickley (24 pts.) added to the total, helping Randle and Brunson inch closer. It just wasn’t enough to set the tone for the week.
Next, the Knicks came up against the Utah Jazz who have been doing well overall. Even in their semi-rebuild phase, they have managed to get to 10-6 at the time of this matchup and put up decent numbers. Lauri Markkenen has been an excellent addition for them, and the Jazz seems to have a decent core to build around if they choose to. The Knicks take this one through 118-111 allowing them to hold onto .500. Randle and RJ did their part putting up 18pts, and 15 pts respectively. Brunson carried the squad adding 25 pts., 8 ast., and 3 rebs. Great way to rebound after a loss!
Continuing onto the next match is a team that seemingly cannot get consistency out of the team. Jokic is missing from the lineup it falls on Jamal Murray to propel them forward. Michael Porter Jr. doesn’t seem able to aid much in the struggles, which led to this loss 106-103 in the Knicks’ favor. In this low-scoring affair, Randle and Brunson were the Knicks’ lead scorers with 34 pts. and 21 pts.
The last game to the round of the week had the Knicks as clear underdogs. The Warriors win over the Knicks 111-101. Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and Klay Thompson each put up 20 pts. This final game of their week kept the Knicks at 8-8. The name of the game is consistency, can the Knicks maintain consistency to keep pace?
-Jonathan Perez
