Is the NBA Cup Hangover Real?
Since winning the NBA Cup, the Knicks have recorded a 5-6 record, marking their most significant slump of the season so far. It turns out, such downturns aren’t all that unusual in the league.
For instance, the Lakers and Bucks, both former Cup winners, had less-than-stellar starts, going 3-7 and 5-5 in their subsequent ten games.
There’s something to be said about the transition from a string of high-stakes games back to regular-season matches without any break in between. It can be tough on teams.
“I think the NBA Cup is fantastic because it brings a different style of basketball compared to the regular season. Yet, I’m not entirely sure if I’d call it a hangover,” Jalen Brunson remarked after practice on Tuesday. “We’re just not performing like we should. So, what’s next for us?”
The alarming part is that both the Lakers and Bucks never quite bounced back from their post-Cup struggles. They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs on both occasions.
“This time of year isn’t always smooth sailing. Cup games have their own unique vibe, but honestly, it’s one of the toughest stretches of the season,” stated coach Mike Brown. “Finding the right focus and energy can be a challenge, especially when you’re trying to work on various aspects without slipping up too much, but that’s a reality we embrace as we look for improvement.”
The latest fan voting results for the All-Star Game were also released on Tuesday. Brunson managed to leapfrog Tyrese Maxey, clinching the second spot in the East. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns ranked seventh, OG Anunoby was 13th, Mikal Bridges came in at 15th, and Josh Hart found himself in 16th place.
With their hectic schedule—without more than a day off between games since the NBA Finals—and the extensive travel, the Knicks have struggled to find time to practice effectively.
On Tuesday, however, they finally got the chance to work on their game.
“It felt great to finally participate in a game-like situation after quite a while,” Brown expressed. “Though we couldn’t accomplish everything that coaches often dream about in terms of practicing effectively, we at least had the opportunity to do some fundamental work on the court today, which was a positive step forward.”
