Knicks’ Momentum Shift in Recent Games
It’s quite astonishing how rapidly the mood around a team can transform.
Just a week ago, the Knicks seemed to be struggling, having lost nine out of eleven games. Jalen Brunson urged his teammates to be more “careful” and focused.
There were genuine concerns about their grit.
But now, well, it looks like that conversation has shifted. The strong team we saw at the start of the season appears to be back in form.
On Friday night, the Knicks (30-18) dominated the Blazers 127-97 at Madison Square Garden, marking their fifth consecutive win. It’s worth noting that the Blazers are currently three games below .500, so they didn’t pose much of a challenge.
Nonetheless, this victory represents the third team in playoff contention that the Knicks have managed to defeat during this streak.
Brunson typically isn’t one for off nights. Scoring only 13 points in a win against the Raptors two days prior, he was also dealing with some illness. Yet, he bounced back nicely on Friday, leading the team with 26 points.
A four-point play he made at the end of the first quarter helped give the Knicks a solid 15-point advantage.
OG Anunoby also shined with 24 points, ten of which came in the fourth quarter when he really took charge. He finished the night shooting 10-of-17 from the field and hitting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Josh Hart contributed with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns, on the other hand, played a more reserved role offensively, saving some energy for rebounding. He managed 14 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, six of them on the offensive end. His quick outlets after rebounds certainly sped up the Knicks’ transition game, although he only scored five points in the fourth quarter.
The team’s turnaround can largely be attributed to a noticeable shift in their defensive strategy. They have now held their opponents to 100 points or fewer in four of the last five games.
During the second quarter, the Knicks unleashed a 9-0 run that pushed their lead to 24 points. While the Blazers managed to reduce the deficit to ten at halftime, the Knicks started the second half strong with a 10-3 run, pushing their lead back to 17 and maintaining control throughout the game. The Blazers never posed a significant threat, allowing Coach Mike Brown to clear his bench with just over four minutes remaining.
This Sunday’s matchup against the Lakers will certainly be the biggest challenge for the rejuvenated Knicks. Yet, compared to the struggles from earlier, their current response is quite impressive.
