DENVER — The Knicks will face the defending champions Thursday on a four-game winning streak overall and, more impressively, a third straight against the Nuggets.
Prior to last season, the Knicks had lost 13 straight games in Denver, a streak dating back to 2006.
Last season, they finally won at Ball Arena thanks to Julius Randle’s 34-point performance.
The win may have saved Tom Thibodeau’s job as he began his road trip in the hot seat.
However, the Nuggets have once again dominated in the Mile High City, taking advantage of their altitude and holding the Western Conference’s best home record.
Jalen Brunson, who spent four seasons in the Western Conference, said the atmosphere was thin and uncomfortable for the first few minutes of games.
“In my experience, usually [it’s rough before] It was the first timeout,” Brunson said. “And when we go into the first timeout, it’s a little tough, but from there it’s good.”
The Knicks will benefit from two days off, practice and possibly Thursday morning’s shootaround to acclimate to the altitude.
“It definitely helps,” Branson said. “We’re definitely excited to play this show and get it out on the road.”
However, he rejected the idea of wearing a high-altitude mask during practice.
“I’ve never even used them before, and I’ve never actually seen anyone use them,” he said.
The Knicks defeated the Nuggets by a near-sea level 38 points at MSG in January, one of their best performances of the season. At the time, the Nuggets were coming off a five-game road trip, and fatigue was a factor.
On Wednesday, the Knicks will end their four-game streak trying to remain undefeated. Brunson is averaging 40.3 points on this outing.
“I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, them and the coaching staff believing in me,” Brunson said. “We’re just clicking right now.”
According to the injury report, OG Anunoby did not participate in Wednesday’s practice and was ruled out for the game against the Nuggets.
Anunoby’s surgically repaired elbow became “inflamed” after the first two games of the road trip, and he returned to New York for an MRI.
Nix said tests showed inflammation but no new damage.
Counting Thursday, he will have missed 20 of 23 games.
Mitchell Robinson returned to practice but was also ruled out of Thursday’s game, and Thibodeau said Wednesday that the center will need to be evaluated by a doctor before playing in the game after being in contact “for some time.” said.
For context, Anunoby returned to full practice after undergoing elbow surgery on March 7, but missed two more games before returning on March 12.
