Knicks Close Out West Coast Swing with Another Loss, Fall to Warriors Without Brunson
SAN FRANCISCO - There was no late-game rescue from Jalen Brunson this time. Less than 24 hours after the Knicks’ floor general sprained his ankle in Sacramento, he was on the bench in street clothes, and New York was left to navigate the final stop of their West Coast trip without their engine.
The result? A 126-113 loss to the Warriors that capped a tough four-game stretch with a third defeat and more questions than answers.
To their credit, the Knicks came out swinging. They built a 17-point lead early in the first quarter, hitting six of their first seven from deep and looking like a team ready to bounce back.
But that momentum didn’t last. Steph Curry took control in the second half, scoring 18 of his 27 points after the break, and the Warriors pulled away in the fourth as the Knicks’ offense cooled and their defense couldn’t hold the line.
This wasn’t a repeat of the lackluster effort they showed in Sacramento - the energy was better, the defense more engaged - but the absence of Brunson loomed large. Without their All-Star point guard, the Knicks lacked a stabilizing presence when things got tight.
Stepping Up, But Falling Short
Deuce McBride, starting in place of Brunson, delivered one of his strongest performances of the season with 25 points. OG Anunoby matched him with 25 of his own, and Mikal Bridges was nearly automatic, going 9-for-11 from the field en route to 21 points. Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points and dominated the glass with 20 rebounds, while Josh Hart chipped in with 10 assists.
But even with five players in double figures, it wasn’t enough to keep pace with a Warriors team that found its rhythm in the second half. The Knicks were outscored 64-51 after halftime, and by the time Towns returned from a brief stint on the bench in the fourth quarter, the game had already started to slip away.
Towns vs. Draymond: A Familiar Chapter
The night also featured another episode in the long-running rivalry between Towns and Draymond Green. Early in the fourth quarter, Towns tried to drive past Green, who fell and then grabbed Towns’ foot, tripping him - a move that earned Green a flagrant 1 foul. Towns hit one of two free throws and the Knicks got the ball back, trimming the lead to eight.
But just 16 seconds later, Towns picked up his fourth and fifth fouls in quick succession and was forced to the bench again. When he returned, the Knicks were down 14 with just over seven minutes to play - and the window had closed.
The two exchanged words again in the final minutes after both teams had emptied their benches. Green, never one to shy away from stirring the pot, danced off the court with a grin. Towns, for his part, kept it brief postgame.
“Ain’t no relevance in my life. I’m good,” he said.
“Everyone on the court knows. They know what happened.”
Green, meanwhile, offered up his usual blend of gamesmanship and respect.
“I don’t want to give my secrets away, but I do like the matchup,” Green said. “I enjoy those matchups.
Those are the ones that really get me going. It’s an honor to play against a talent like Karl Towns… I talk my junk and stir the pot a little bit, for sure.
But the respect I have for guys like that - guys who’ve done it 10, 11 years at a high level - I cherish that opportunity.”
Midseason Check-In: Time for Adjustments
The loss dropped the Knicks to 25-16 at the official midpoint of the season, sliding them into third place in the Eastern Conference. They've now lost seven of their last nine - a stretch that’s exposed some cracks, especially on the defensive end.
“We’ve got to get our defense under control,” Hart said postgame. “That’s something that has been a little shaky all year.
Our offense has been that good, especially when you have guys out. You might have some lapses offensively, but that’s when you’ve got to bring it defensively, control the game on that side.”
There’s no doubt the Knicks have the pieces to compete - even without Brunson, they showed flashes of what they can be. But consistency, especially on the defensive end, remains elusive. And without their leader on the floor, the margin for error shrinks.
Shamet Returns
One silver lining: Landry Shamet returned to action for the first time since dislocating his shoulder back in November. He logged 16 minutes and scored six points, showing some of the rhythm he had before the injury.
“He worked his tail off,” said head coach Mike Brown. “Landry, he’s a worker, man… He was in a great rhythm before he got hurt. It’s going to take some time, but we’re going to be patient with him while he fights to get back.”
What’s Next
The Knicks head back to New York with a few days to regroup and - hopefully - get Brunson healthy. The West Coast trip didn’t go as planned, but there were signs of life. Now it’s about putting the pieces together, tightening up the defense, and finding a way to get back on track in the East.