Knicks achieve 21-point comeback to win against undermanned Warriors

Knicks Overcome Early Deficit for Narrow Win

Josh Hart was looking forward to a solid performance from the Knicks against their Sunday rivals.

This didn’t quite happen as expected.

In a nail-biting matchup against a depleted Golden State Warriors team, the Knicks managed to pull off a 110-107 victory after facing a daunting 21-point deficit at Madison Square Garden.

The game took a decisive turn following a costly turnover by Warriors center Quinten Post, who mishandled a pass, allowing Landry Shamet to capitalize.

Shamet, along with OG Anunoby, sank crucial free throws in the closing seconds, going 4-for-4 to seal the deal.

“When you’re in situations like this, you don’t want to make it more complicated than it is. You have to know what’s at stake,” Hart explained prior to the game. There’s always the chance of disagreements with referees, and we needed to approach the game as we would any other. If that’s the case, we must face it early and make it an open contest.”

Well, it didn’t unfold that way at the start. But the Knicks (44-25) somehow found their rhythm. Jalen Brunson led the charge with 30 points, hitting 9 of 20 field goals and making all his 10 free throw attempts. He also nailed a critical pull-up shot with just 65 seconds on the clock. Jordan Clarkson contributed with 14 points off the bench during his 22 minutes on the floor.

Mikal Bridges had a limited stint with 21 minutes but remained impactful as his standout season continues.

The Warriors, however, were not just missing some star players; they were without their entire main roster. Stars like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Seth Curry all sat out.

Their starting lineup looked more like a G League squad: Malevi Leons, Guy Santos, Brandin Podzemski, Post, and Will Richard rounded out their team.

Meanwhile, the Knicks were still pushing forward, with the exception of Miles McBride, who’s recovering from surgery. They had just returned from a taxing five-game road trip, which likely contributed to their sluggish start.

Just a few minutes into the second quarter, the Knicks were looking at a 21-point difference, plagued by missed shots and turnovers. Golden State appeared to be on a roll.

But the Knicks began to regroup. Golden State lost steam in the second quarter, and the Knicks tightened their grip on the ball. By the end of the third quarter, they managed to swing the momentum in their favor.

This comeback felt reminiscent of their previous two wins against weaker teams, namely the Jazz and the Pacers. Once again, they stumbled early but found their footing for a fourth-quarter resurgence.

“We faced similar challenges in Utah and Indiana. It’s tough, but if you aim to be who you think you are by the end, then you must treat it like business,” coach Mike Brown noted. “The crucial part is to not gloss over the finer details. When faced with a team like this, those details really matter. You need to play with urgency, making your presence known on both ends. No one can afford to be lazy; these are NBA players with something to prove.”