Early Struggles Without Brunson
The absence of point guard Jalen Brunson was immediately felt by the New York Knicks in their 105-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The game began with a rocky start, as the Knicks managed a dismal 0-for-4 shooting from the field. This allowed the Clippers to surge ahead with a 7-0 lead, partly due to a pair of turnovers and Karl-Anthony Towns’ struggle to contain Ivica Zubac defensively. Head coach Tom Thibodeau, known for his strategic acumen, was quick to call an early timeout to regroup. The Knicks responded positively, mounting a 10-2 run where every starter contributed a bucket. Despite this rally, the Clippers adjusted their strategy, capitalizing on mismatches in transition, particularly with Zubac down low. The quarter ended with a 9-0 Clippers run, giving them a 31-25 advantage heading into the second quarter. Josh Hart, the Knicks’ shooting guard, was the bright spot early on, scoring nine points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Bridges Takes Charge in the Second Quarter
In the second quarter, Mikal Bridges stepped up as the primary offensive threat for the Knicks. He aggressively sought out scoring opportunities, getting to the free-throw line on consecutive possessions and scoring six straight points. This sparked a 10-0 Knicks run, which momentarily gave them the lead. However, the Clippers quickly countered by finding their rhythm from beyond the arc, thanks in part to the Knicks’ porous three-point defense. Los Angeles made 6-of-9 three-pointers in the quarter, allowing them to re-take the lead and head into halftime with a 60-54 advantage. The Clippers’ efficient shooting from downtown was a stark contrast to the Knicks, who managed just 6-of-15 from three-point range in the first half, with Towns being the only starter to hit multiple threes.
Cold Shooting and Gritty Defense in the Third
The third quarter was a tale of two halves for both teams. The Knicks, who had ended the second quarter with a cold spell from long distance, continued to struggle from beyond the arc. This allowed the Clippers to extend their lead to nine points early in the third. However, the Knicks’ offense started to find its footing, and they began hitting threes to close the gap. Despite their efforts, the Knicks’ three-point defense remained a weak point, allowing the Clippers to respond with timely shots. Neither team had a particularly efficient quarter, with both shooting just 33 percent from the field. The Knicks only made 2-of-13 threes, while the Clippers managed 3-of-12. The Knicks’ defense, however, deserved credit for their improved attention to detail and better contesting of threes, limiting the Clippers to just 19 points in the quarter, including a single point in the final five minutes.
Fourth Quarter Fade
Entering the fourth quarter, the Knicks were down by just one point, but their shooting woes continued to haunt them. The Clippers capitalized on the Knicks’ cold shooting, building a game-high 11-point lead. Despite brief moments of resistance from New York, they struggled to maintain both their offensive and defensive efforts. The Knicks made only one three-pointer in the final frame and shot a dismal 39 percent from the field. This quarter was particularly tough, with New York managing just 17 points, unable to mount a significant comeback against the well-entrenched Clippers. The loss marked the Knicks’ third straight and their second consecutive defeat on this challenging five-game West Coast road trip.
McBride’s Admired Effort
Miles McBride, filling in for Jalen Brunson, put in a commendable effort as the starting point guard but faced significant challenges. It was evident that the young guard had trouble orchestrating the offense for the starters, and at times, it was Josh Hart who seemed to take on the role of the floor general. McBride finished with seven points on 2-of-13 shooting, including 2-of-9 from three-point range. Despite his low scoring, he contributed seven assists, showcasing his ability to distribute the ball. His performance on the court was a net negative, with a minus-10 rating, highlighting the adjustments needed for a smooth transition when Brunson is unavailable.
Key Performances and What’s Next
For the Knicks, Josh Hart stood out with a career-high 20 rebounds, along with 14 points and six assists. His all-around effort was crucial in a game where the team needed every bit of contribution. Karl-Anthony Towns led the scoring with 23 points and 10 rebounds, demonstrating his importance to the team’s offensive and defensive schemes. Mikal Bridges also had a solid outing, scoring 22 points on efficient 8-of-12 shooting. OG Anunoby had a quieter game, contributing 11 points and eight rebounds. Precious Achiuwa, filling in for Mitchell Robinson, provided a strong inside presence with nine points, five rebounds, and a block.
On the other side, James Harden, fresh off a 50-point performance against the Pistons, continued his stellar play with 27 points. Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum, and Ivica Zubac also scored in double figures, with 20, 17, and 16 points respectively. The多样性的得分表现展现了快船队的整体实力。
The Knicks will look to bounce back as they continue their West Coast road trip, facing the Kings in Sacramento on Monday. The game is scheduled to tip off at 10:30 p.m. New York will need to address their shooting struggles and defensive lapses if they hope to come away with a victory in their next game.
