The Knicks’ Home Dominance
The Knicks are creating something strong at home, and it’s definitely a benefit.
With a decisive 116-94 win against the Raptors on Sunday night, the Knicks, now at 13-6, have pushed their home record to an impressive 10-1 at Madison Square Garden. This achievement places them second in the NBA for home performance, just behind the Thunder.
This is quite a leap from last season, where they managed a 27-14 record at the Garden. This year, they’ve been pretty relentless against visiting teams.
During Sunday’s game, the Knicks showcased their strength by leading for nearly the entire match, highlighted by Karl-Anthony Towns contributing 22 points. Six players scored at least 13 points, a testament to their balanced offensive strategy.
Josh Hart stood out again, finishing with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists, leading the team in offensive boards with five. Although Jalen Brunson struggled a bit shooting 6-of-19, his presence still drew defensive focus, allowing others to shine.
There were moments of tension, particularly in the third quarter. Former Knicks player Immanuel Quickley made a notable impact, scoring 13 of his 19 points during this stretch, even inspiring a memorable cheer from the MSG crowd with a three-pointer.
At one point, Toronto closed the gap to just three points, but the Knicks responded fiercely with a 12-0 run, regaining control. In that third quarter, Hart added 13 points, effectively leading the charge as the Raptors couldn’t find their footing again.
This matchup felt somewhat premeditated for the Knicks. The Raptors have surprised many with a strong season, having Brandon Ingram at the top of the division, but their travel schedule from Charlotte may have hindered their performance.
Miles McBride quickly made his mark, scoring 12 points in a fast start. The Knicks initially built a 24-point lead, making it seem like their opponents might face a rough night. However, with some bench players on the court, the Knicks allowed the Raptors back into the game, reducing the lead to just seven by halftime and even down to three points during the third quarter.
Yet, the Knicks eventually secured the victory. The Raptors played without RJ Barrett due to a knee sprain, while the Knicks were also missing OG Anunoby, sidelined for over two weeks with a hamstring injury.
Despite these absences, both teams likely felt positive about the trade two years ago that brought Quickley and Barrett to the Raptors. They’ve both significantly contributed to Toronto’s impressive early season, reflected in their 14-6 record prior to this game.
Quickley has claimed a starting point guard role, averaging 15.8 points and 6.3 assists with low turnovers. Meanwhile, Barrett, who was injured during the game, has been averaging nearly 19.4 points with impressive shooting efficiency.
Raptors coach Darko Rajkovic noted, “Those two guys were obviously things we acquired… They’ve grown a lot since then.”
Last season was tough for the Raptors, leading them into the draft lottery again, with speculation about Quickley and Barrett’s futures.
Although this season has just begun, the strategy behind the trade executed by former Raptors president Masai Ujiri is becoming clear. Quickley, Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and notably Brandon Ingram have all been making significant strides—it’s a challenge that the Knicks will have to meet head-on, but for now, they’re reveling in the success of this win.
