Knicks Stumble Again Against Eastern Heavyweights
The New York Knicks continued their struggle against the top teams in the Eastern Conference, falling to the Boston Celtics 118-105 on Sunday. This loss follows their 142-105 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers just a few days prior, leaving New York winless against the conference’s two best teams. The defeats highlight a concerning trend as the Knicks prepare for the postseason, where they will need to perform at their best against the likes of Boston and Cleveland.
Bridges and Anunoby Need to Step Up
Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, two high-profile additions to the Knicks’ roster, have been underperforming in these crucial matchups. Bridges, who was brought to New York in an early-July trade that cost the team five first-round picks, was largely a nonfactor in both games. On Sunday, he managed only 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting over 28 minutes. Similarly, Anunoby, who signed a five-year, $212.5 million contract with the Knicks, was quiet offensively, scoring just 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting in 35 minutes. More alarming was his inability to contain Jayson Tatum, who led all scorers with 25 points. The Knicks’ significant investments in these players suggest they need to contribute more, especially in high-stakes games against top-tier opposition.
The Need for Additional Support
For the Knicks to truly compete with the Celtics and Cavaliers, they need more help around their core players, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. While Brunson and Towns were effective during the Knicks’ 39-25 third-quarter surge, their efforts were not enough to sustain a comeback. After Towns’ three-pointer at the 11:32 mark of the fourth quarter, which narrowed the deficit to 89-85, the Celtics went on a decisive 16-4 run, creating enough distance to secure the win. The Knicks’ entire starting lineup was outshone by Boston’s, where all five starters scored in double figures. This stark contrast underscores the need for New York to find ways to diversify their scoring and defensive contributions when facing deeper and more talented teams.
Towns’ Injury Concerns
Another significant issue that arose during Sunday’s game was Karl-Anthony Towns’ apparent left knee injury. Towns, who had a strong performance with 24 points and 18 rebounds in 41 minutes, left the game with 8:28 remaining in the fourth quarter. His return at the 4:12 mark was a relief, but his absence for a considerable period of time raised concerns about his health and availability moving forward. Brunson also put up a solid effort with 22 points on 9-of-19 shooting through 37 minutes. However, the team’s reliance on these two stars, and the lack of broader contributions, becomes glaringly apparent in tougher games.
A Tough Season Against Top Teams
The Knicks’ struggle against the top teams in the Eastern Conference has been a consistent theme this season. They started the year with a 132-109 loss in Boston on October 22, followed by a 110-104 defeat against the Cavaliers six days later. The Celtics further dominated the Knicks, 131-104, on February 8 at Madison Square Garden. The most recent loss to Cleveland was particularly demoralizing, with the Cavaliers handing New York a 37-point blowout. With only a handful of regular-season games left, time is running out for Tom Thibodeau and his team to prove they can hold their own against the elite.
What Lies Ahead
The Knicks will return to Madison Square Garden for a Wednesday game against the Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m. The 76ers, currently struggling with a 20-36 record and having lost seven consecutive games, offer a chance for New York to regroup and gain some momentum. Philadelphia’s most recent loss was a narrow 105-103 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. This game presents an opportunity for the Knicks to demonstrate their resilience and make a statement before the end of the regular season. The focus will be on getting more balanced contributions from their roster and ensuring that their key players, especially Towns, are in top form.
