MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Knicks played with food, but at least they ate it.
Facing the G League's version of the battered Grizzlies, the Knicks were outplayed, overwhelmed and reckless for much of the game, especially in the first half, but left FedExForum with a 106-94 victory. . There's no way we could lose on Saturday.
Already Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke and Derrick Rose are out with long-term injuries, but Memphis' top two scorers, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., have new illnesses. He was absent.
The Grizzlies (14-25) were playing the second night of a back-to-back, starting big-name Luke Kennard.
The others were Xavier Tillman, Jacob Gilliard, David Roddy and Vince Williams Jr.
Still, they persisted and even led at halftime, as the Knicks struggled to take care of the ball without the injured Jalen Brunson.
Eventually, the Grizzlies stopped taking shots and the Knicks buried enough in the second half to win.
Julius Randle had 24 points and 11 rebounds the rest of the way, but was clearly frustrated, committing six of the Knicks' 22 turnovers.
Isaiah Hartenstein (20 rebounds, 12 points), OG Anunoby (18 points) and Miles McBride (19 points) helped avoid disaster at Beale Street.
The Knicks (23-16) have performed well against the NBA's lower divisions this season, currently posting a 16-0 record against losing teams.
Seeing their dominance, Randle described their mentality against poor teams a few years ago as “We don't play with your food.”
But that wasn't the case in Memphis.
This was the Knicks' first appearance of the season without Brunson, who was sidelined with a calf contusion.
He was injured in Thursday's loss to the Mavericks, a disappointing game for the point guard that ended with him limping out of the American Airlines Center.
Although he was on the bench in street clothes, there is no doubt that Brunson will be back at the Garden on Monday afternoon, given that the decision was made during Saturday's game.
McBride started in Brunson's place and performed well, making 7 of 10 shots.
He was positive, but the offense was disjointed and disjointed without Brunson, mainly due to Randle's lack of control.
The Knicks committed 14 turnovers in the first half, four of them by Randle.
Memphis had just five turnovers before intermission and led by four points by the halftime show of “Simon Says.”
Brunson, who was among the league leaders in minutes heading into Saturday, was absent as host and facilitator.
It also exposed the lack of creators, with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley missing. The Knicks don't have depth in that skill.
Before the game, Thibodeau warned them not to overlook their undermanned opponents.
It's easy to believe the Knicks at their word, but that wasn't the case Thursday when they lost to the Mavericks without Luka Doncic, and it was hard to believe Saturday.
“I think you watch it every night and you see shorthanded teams win,” Thibodeau said. “I always tell my team, you don't make it to the NBA unless you're a great player, so everyone on the roster from No. 1 to No. 15 is great.” [If] Anyone can beat you that night if you don't approach it right. The way they shoot in Volume 3, it's great, they react to the ball, they rebound, their young players are very talented. we need to understand that. ”
