The New York Knicks had a 17-point lead in their hands and let it slip away-again. Without Jalen Brunson in the lineup Thursday night, the Knicks couldn’t hold off the Golden State Warriors, falling 126-113 in a game that felt like a snapshot of their recent struggles: defensive lapses, untimely foul trouble, and not enough help beyond a couple of standout performances.
Defensive Issues Continue to Undermine the Knicks
Let’s start with what’s become the most glaring issue-defense. Or more accurately, the lack of it.
The Knicks came out strong, building a sizable lead, but their perimeter defense collapsed as the game wore on. Golden State, never a team you want to give room from deep, took full advantage.
The Warriors dropped 99 points through the first three quarters and shot the lights out from beyond the arc-20-for-45 from three. That’s nearly 45%, and when you combine that with a 53% clip from the field overall, it’s no wonder the Knicks couldn’t keep pace. The rotations were slow, closeouts were lazy, and communication on switches just wasn’t there.
Only one team in the league has posted a worse defensive rating than the Knicks this month-and that’s Utah. That’s not company you want to keep if you’re trying to contend in the East.
This isn’t just a rough patch. It’s a trend, and unless something changes quickly, the Knicks are going to keep sliding.
Karl-Anthony Towns: Big Numbers, Untimely Fouls
Karl-Anthony Towns had a monster game on paper-17 points, 20 rebounds, and a pair of threes. But when the Knicks needed him most, foul trouble sent him to the bench. Early in the fourth quarter, with the Knicks trying to claw their way back, Towns picked up his second personal of the period and had to sit.
That’s been a recurring theme. Towns leads the league in offensive fouls this season with 36.
Some of that might be due to a reputation with officials, but it also speaks to a lack of discipline in key moments. The Knicks can’t afford to have their best big off the floor when the game is hanging in the balance.
McBride and Anunoby Shine in Brunson’s Absence
There were a couple of bright spots-namely Miles McBride and OG Anunoby. With Brunson out, McBride stepped into the starting point guard role and didn’t flinch.
He dropped 25 points, hit six threes, and handed out six assists. It was a confident, composed showing from a young player thrust into a big role.
Anunoby matched McBride’s scoring total with 25 of his own, doing most of his work inside. He shot 10-for-20 from the field and added four boards. He was aggressive, efficient, and gave the Knicks a much-needed interior presence.
But outside of those two, help was hard to come by. The bench mustered just 20 points total, with Jordan Clarkson scoring 11 and Landry Shamet adding six in his first game back from a shoulder injury. The lack of depth scoring made it tough to keep up once Golden State’s offense got rolling.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, the Knicks are still sitting in a favorable spot in the Eastern Conference standings. But make no mistake-this team is at a crossroads.
The defense has to tighten up, Towns has to stay on the floor, and they need more consistent contributions from the supporting cast. Saturday’s home matchup against the Phoenix Suns looms large.
It’s not just about bouncing back-it’s about proving they can stop the bleeding before things spiral any further.