Knicks Collapse on National Stage in Blowout Loss to Shorthanded Mavericks
On the day Jalen Brunson was officially named an All-Star starter-a well-earned honor for the Knicks’ heartbeat-New York delivered a performance that couldn’t have contrasted more sharply with the moment. Hosting a Dallas Mavericks team missing six rotation players, the Knicks stumbled to a 114-97 loss at Madison Square Garden, a game that felt even more lopsided than the final score suggests.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a bad night. This was the kind of game that forces front offices to take a long, hard look at the roster and ask the tough questions.
The Knicks have now dropped eight of their last eleven, including two separate four-game losing streaks in that span. That’s not just a cold stretch-it’s a flashing red light.
And with the trade deadline looming, it’s fair to wonder how much longer Leon Rose can afford to wait before shaking things up.
A Night to Forget at the Garden
The Knicks came out flat and never really found their footing. They allowed 75 points in the first half-yes, 75-marking their worst defensive half of the season.
Even more troubling? Dallas, a team that ranks near the bottom of the league in three-point shooting, torched New York from deep.
The Mavs hit 11-of-20 triples before halftime, good for 55%, and completely flipped the script on their usual offensive profile.
New York’s defense offered little resistance. In the first quarter alone, the Mavericks drilled six of their ten threes and repeatedly found wide-open lanes to the basket.
The Knicks, meanwhile, couldn’t buy a bucket from outside. Every starter, along with two bench players, went a combined 0-for-9 from three in the opening frame.
By the end of the first, the Knicks trailed 31-22, and the Garden crowd was already restless.
Things only got worse in the second. Cooper Flagg-making his Garden debut while dealing with an ankle issue-showed no signs of hesitation.
He and Naji Marshall combined for 30 first-half points, and Max Christie added a career-high six threes before the break. The Mavericks’ lead ballooned to 30, and the Knicks were greeted with a chorus of boos as they walked into the locker room down 75-45-their largest halftime deficit at home in over a decade.
No Answers After the Break
Whatever message Mike Brown delivered at halftime didn’t land. Dallas kept its foot on the gas to start the third, pushing the lead back to 30 before the Knicks showed any signs of life.
A brief surge cut the deficit to 19 late in the quarter, but the energy was fleeting. The Mavs quickly reasserted control, and by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the game was all but decided.
Mitchell Robinson was one of the few bright spots in the first half, posting 10 points, nine rebounds, and a block in just nine minutes. But even his effort couldn’t stem the tide.
Brunson, ever the competitor, tried to rally his teammates in the final frame, urging them to push for a comeback. But the Knicks never got closer than 15, and any hopes of a miracle finish faded fast.
The frustration showed. At one point, Karl-Anthony Towns appeared more focused on tangling with Dwight Powell than making a dent in the scoreboard.
When Brown finally emptied the bench with just under three minutes left, the Garden crowd had already started heading for the exits. The Knicks on the bench looked defeated-physically, emotionally, and mentally.
What Comes Next?
This loss wasn’t just about one bad night. It was a reflection of deeper issues-defensive breakdowns, inconsistent shooting, and a team that looks increasingly out of sync. With expectations higher than they’ve been in years, the pressure is mounting.
Brunson’s All-Star selection is a reminder of how far this team has come. But if the Knicks want to be more than just a feel-good story, they’ll need more than individual accolades. They’ll need urgency, accountability, and perhaps most importantly, reinforcements.
The trade deadline is just around the corner. And after a loss like this, it’s hard to imagine the Knicks standing pat.