The Knicks are wrapping up the year with a rematch against the Spurs, which could also hint at a future NBA Finals matchup.
They’re heading to San Antonio for the last game of their road trip on Wednesday.
Just two weeks ago, the Knicks topped the Spurs 124-113 in the NBA Cup Finals held in Las Vegas.
Interestingly, even after losing that game, the Spurs bounced back to become the hottest team in the league, winning five straight afterward.
Two of those victories were against the Thunder, a team that had previously beaten Oklahoma City during the Cup semifinals. Suddenly, it felt like the Spurs, rather than the Thunder, were the ones to watch in the West.
But then reality hit them hard, as they faced back-to-back losses against the Jazz and Cavaliers.
Victor Wembanyama returned to the Spurs for the semifinals and finals after a calf injury had sidelined him for 12 games. Still, he’s been pretty limited in his minutes, often playing just one minute and not surpassing 28 since coming back.
Mitchell Robinson played a key role in defending Wembanyama during the Cup Final. Wembanyama has this tendency to aggressively go for blocked shots, which often gives Robinson chances to snag offensive rebounds.
Unfortunately, Robinson will sit out Wednesday’s game again after missing the Pelicans’ recent game due to load management.
On a brighter note, Miles McBride made his return during Monday’s game after being out for eight games with an ankle injury. He scored 14 points and quickly found his rhythm with the team.
His crucial defensive play against Jordan Poole in the game’s final moments was particularly noteworthy; he expertly navigated a screen without committing a foul.
McBride expressed his determination, saying, “I always trust God and what He has planned for me. He told me I needed some rest, but I just wanted to come out here and do what I had to do to get back on track and get a win with the team.”
The Knicks’ defense has had rocky starts lately. Over the last seven games since winning the NBA Cup, they’ve allowed an average of 34.1 points in the first quarter. For instance, the Pelicans scored 41 points in the first quarter of their recent game.
“We understand that the way we started was unacceptable,” Jalen Brunson admitted. “We had to find a way to win from that position, and it gave us confidence in one another. But we have to get off to a better start.”
McBride echoed this, stating, “We have to come with more energy and respect.”
The team is still without Josh Hart (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder), while Ariel Hukporti (torn labrum) is questionable, as is Tyler Kolek, who has a sore right ankle.
