The Knicks might not have gotten the win they wanted against the reigning NBA champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the effort and execution they showed back on March 4 at the Garden left both Josh Hart and Coach Mike Brown feeling optimistic.
Reflecting on the 103-100 loss, Hart noted, “We kind of executed our game plan. Chet [Holmgren] and Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] had great games, and defensively, they were solid. But we played well, too.”
Looking at the stats, the Knicks outperformed the Thunder in several areas: they won the rebounding battle (48-38), had more assists (23-21), and committed fewer turnovers (15-13). Both teams were neck and neck in shooting, with the Knicks hitting 42% from the field and the Thunder 45%.
The real kicker? The Thunder's edge from beyond the arc, sinking 38% of their threes compared to the Knicks’ 29%.
“It was a good, competitive game,” Brown said. “Shai hit a big three late, but it was anyone’s game.”
As the Knicks gear up for their rematch in Oklahoma City, what’s the game plan? Mitchell Robinson summed it up: “Communication and effort. Staying connected and having each other’s backs will be key.”
While calling this a "measuring-stick" game might be a stretch, considering the Knicks’ impressive standing-second in the Atlantic Division, third in the Eastern Conference, and sixth in the NBA-it's clear the Thunder are a formidable opponent. They boast the league’s best record at 58-16, a stellar 30-6 home record, and allow just 107.7 points per game, the second-best in the league.
Leading the charge for the Thunder is Gilgeous-Alexander, with an MVP-worthy 31.4 points and 6.6 assists per game. He’s a master at drawing fouls, averaging nine free throws per game.
Brown acknowledged, “He’s crafty and knows how to take advantage of situations. We need to be smarter in defending him.”
On the injury front, Deuce McBride, who’s been out since January due to an ankle injury and subsequent surgery, is now questionable for Sunday’s game. McBride has been a solid contributor, averaging a career-high 12.9 points per game this season.
As the Knicks prepare to face the Thunder once more, they'll be looking to turn those close calls into a victory with sharper defense and stronger communication.