Knicks Bounce Back Against Hornets

Following what many consider their toughest loss of the season, the Hornets served as the perfect antidote for the Knicks at home.

With just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Jordan Clarkson sprinted down the court, but Tijan Saraoun and Zion James were back defensively. Both players seemed to expect the other to step up and challenge Clarkson, but neither did. This miscommunication allowed Clarkson to casually execute a layup, prompting laughter from the Madison Square Garden crowd.

This moment highlighted the struggles of the Hornets, as the Knicks (14-7) triumphed 119-104, boosting their home record to 11-1.

On the heels of a tough match against the Celtics that ended their four-game winning streak, this game marked the second in the series for the Knicks.

Brunson faced challenges shooting on Tuesday, racking up 26 points but connecting on only 1-of-5 from beyond the arc. That lone three-pointer happened to come as a buzzer-beater, just as the first half drew to a close.

Karl-Anthony Towns was the standout performer, scoring 35 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, alongside 5 assists. He dominated early, tallying 19 points and 9 rebounds in the initial half alone, almost achieving a double-double. His effectiveness came from asserting himself in the paint before attempting any three-pointers, overpowering the slimmer Moussa Diabaté. He also secured five offensive rebounds.

After establishing his presence, Towns started hitting from the perimeter, making two threes in the third quarter, which helped vault the Knicks back into a comfortable double-digit lead. His ability to control the game inside allowed for better looks from outside.

Towns’ powerful display coincided with rumors of him being a potential trade target for Giannis Antetokounmpo, sparking conversation among analysts about the Bucks’ future. It was a strong statement from Towns, who has added significant fluctuations to Coach Mike Brown’s offensive strategy.

Josh Hart didn’t have his usual dominant game, but he still contributed with eight rebounds and eight assists.

The Knicks faced a slight concern regarding their tendency to let early leads diminish. Hart pointed this out after Tuesday’s game. They held a 15-point lead into the second quarter, only to see it shrink to six by halftime.

Fortunately, in the third quarter, they outperformed the Hornets by nine points, regaining command of the game. However, concerns surfaced again in the fourth as their lead—initially stretched to 18 points—was cut down to six before the team ramped up their efforts once more.

This scenario mirrored the matchup on Tuesday, where the Knicks led by 11 after the first quarter yet fell behind by 17 in the second. Unlike the Celtics, the Hornets weren’t able to capitalize on the Knicks’ slips, but it’s a trend the team must address moving forward.

The Hornets struggled to shoot, landing only 31 percent from three-point range, which undermined any hope of turning the game into a contest. Interestingly, this low percentage wasn’t entirely due to Knicks’ defense; many of their shots were open looks. A more competitive team might have taken advantage of those opportunities.

The Knicks themselves shot just 32 percent from deep. Still, the Hornets, classified as a weak team in a generally weaker Eastern Conference, posed a favorable match for the Knicks, even on a less-than-stellar night.