On the same day reports surfaced about the Bucks considering a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Knicks delivered an unexpected 119-92 victory over the Raptors on Wednesday, despite being short-handed.
Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby stood out as the game’s heroes, scoring a combined 56 points and leading a third-quarter rally that pushed New York’s winning streak to four games.
While Jalen Brunson had an off night, contributing only 13 points and missing most of the second half, the team made up for his absence effectively.
Karl-Anthony Towns also had a notable moment, though he only scored eight points. It was a fantastic over-the-shoulder assist to Bridges during a crucial third-quarter run that played a significant role in the victory.
Towns, sprinting in for a rebound, secured his 19th offensive grab out of a season-high total of 22. Even though his shot missed, he executed a clever no-look pass to an accelerating Bridges.
This play allowed the Knicks to build a nine-point lead, which eventually ballooned to 27 points by the final whistle.
With the win, the Knicks improved their record to 29-18, maintaining a 3-0 advantage over the Raptors this season. They had initially led by 12 points, but dominated the second half 72-41, capping it off with a 13-0 scoring streak at the end of the third quarter. It was perhaps the most significant development since the New Year.
Bridges shone brightly, with 19 of his 30 points coming in that pivotal third quarter, shooting an impressive 12 of 15 overall—his best performance in quite a while.
This victory had implications for standings, as both teams were closely ranked going into the game, vying for third place in the East behind the Pistons and Celtics. Currently, the Knicks hold a full game lead.
Mike Brown, the coach, commented on the significance of the standings. He cautioned that while they are competing, every game remains vital, and the season is still long. Winning doesn’t guarantee a finish above others, nor does losing necessarily mean dropping behind.
Despite the challenges, including fatigue from a recent trip from New York and missing players like Miles McBride and Mitchell Robinson due to load management, the Knicks managed to perform well. Josh Hart, who scored 22 points and had six assists, was also dealing with ankle discomfort.
The backdrop of trade rumors after news of Antetokounmpo’s potential move loomed large, but for one night, the focus shifted away from the Greek star.
“I can’t control it. Rumors are everywhere,” Brown said, emphasizing the need to ignore distractions. “You have to think like a banker—focus year-round, not just during the trade periods.”
He reflected on how, whether in New York or elsewhere, there’s always noise in the sports world, echoing a mantra from his days with the Spurs about maintaining a “bunker mentality.”
