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[New York Knicks]

Close games have become a rarity under Mike Brown’s Knicks

It is estimated by the IUCN that there are nearly 16,000 species of animals that are either endangered or critically endangered. Endangered species are a tragic occurrence in the wild that can be caused by a variety of factors. Many species have been driven to the brink or even gone totally extinct due to environmental effects, natural causes in the wild, or, the most common cause over the last 500 years, human interference.

Whether it’s poaching, deforestation, or any other factor that causes a population to dwindle, there have been many species that see their populations dwindle due to man-made causes. But while the most common use of the word “endangered” is regarded in the wild, it can generally be used for any particular thing that is in danger of being wiped out.

So what does any of this have to do with the Knicks? Well, one thing that is “endangered” regarding the Knicks is something that was their bread and butter a year ago. No, it’s not the slow pace or challenges, but rather close games. Last year, the Knicks would play 31 games designated as “clutch” games, and those games would generate a bunch of iconic moments for Jalen Brunson, boosting him to winning the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year.

But in 2025-26? The Knicks have played in just two games decided by less than eight points as December begins. While seven games have technically been “clutch”, just two have come down to the wire. That’s not to say the other clutch games didn’t have drama, but there haven’t been the last-possession heroics that are commonplace around the league.

On Opening Night, the closest that Cleveland got was five points with two minutes left. The Knicks had slim hopes in a fake comeback against Miami in October, closing an 18-point deficit to five with 90 seconds left before an Andrew Wiggins dagger. They were in a close game in Milwaukee for 44 minutes until the Bucks ran roughshod to close the game. Same can be said for the NBA Cup opener against the Bulls.

So right, there are four “clutch” games that were decided when the final minute of the game began. The only other clutch games were the two-point loss to Miami in November, the two-point win in Dallas, and Friday’s NBA Cup finale against the Bucks, where Jalen Brunson’s and-1 with 1:27 to go made it a seven-point game and put it away.

Just three of the Knicks’ last 14 games had any semblance of drama, and only two of them were real. The Knicks had multiple opportunities at pulling out the win in South Beach that fell off the rim, and they survived an upset against the incredibly shorthanded Mavericks on an offensive foul with one second left.

Other than those games, the month of November has been as milquetoast as possible. Some games have been competitive, but are ultimately never in doubt by the end. What’s driving this?

Volatility. The Knicks have become a boom-or-bust team on offense with Mike Brown’s philosophy of making the team hard to keep up with. The formula for a Knicks win is usually a boatload of three-pointers and offensive rebounds with few turnovers. When executed well, the team can be close to unstoppable.

Boxing out Mitchell Robinson is insane. Even when you face guard and push him out, you open a lane for someone like Deuce to sneak in and grab the offensive board. pic.twitter.com/lECI9Jrmy8

— DJ Zullo (@DJAceNBA) November 6, 2025

But there is a flip side. If the team is neutralized on the boards (especially when Mitchell Robinson is out), it places enormous pressure on making their threes, which they’ve been inconsistent on. Last night was a perfect example: the Knicks started 9-for-14 from deep and built a 24-point lead, only to miss 15 of their next 17 from distance and see Toronto pull to within three in the third quarter.

Ultimately, the rebounding helped save the Knicks, as they grabbed a monstrous 25 offensive rebounds, but there have been games where it doesn’t save them. They’ve shot under 34% from three in five games this season and are 1-4 in those games. The lone win? Barely surviving D’Angelo Russell and Naji Marshall in Dallas. Both losses to the Heat saw the team shoot under 30% and Kel’el Ware did a great job negating the rebounding differential.

That means the Knicks are a blistering 12-2 when they shoot above 34%, which is a comfortably below-average rate in the modern NBA. They’re 9-1 when they clear 36%, only losing to the Bulls in Chicago in the team’s worst defensive performance of the season. All of these wins are mostly comfortable, with the closest being Friday against Milwaukee.

They’re also unstoppable when they’re dominating the boards, for obvious reasons. 4-0 when winning the rebounding battle by at least 10, and only two of their losses saw them win it by more than five (overall record of 9-2). When they lose the rebounding battle outright? 2-3.

It might seem obvious that when the Knicks succeed at their strengths, they win games, but the fact that when they succeed, they blow teams out is notable. Last season, while they went 22-2 when shooting over 41% from three, they went just 18-11 when they shot between 36% and 41% compared to 7-2 in the same span this year.

But there’s one more thing that the Knicks have in their identity that has prevented games from reaching this point, and it’s been a part of their philosophy for years under Tom Thibodeau: they don’t blow big leads.

Sure, they struggle to put teams away at times, and Clyde Frazier isn’t wrong when he says the team lacks the “killer instinct” to step on their opponents’ throats and turn games into OKC-level blowouts, but they rarely fully let go of the rope.

The Knicks have held a 15-point second-half lead on 89 different occasions since the start of the 2023-24 season. They have won 88 of those games, the best record in the NBA in that span. They won 75 of those games in a row over two consecutive seasons until they endured the most tragic collapse in recent memory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Regardless, they don’t let go of the rope. There are games where they go up big early and fall apart, sure, but when the team is firmly in control of a game in the second half over the past three seasons, they almost always win. It’s a far cry from the pre-Brunson Knicks that never could hold a lead. I don’t need to regale you with what the 2021-22 Knicks did on a near-daily basis, do I?

Speaking of Brunson, that’s probably the biggest reason for that. The Knicks have a closer who can command the ball and dictate the offense when the going gets tough. We’ve seen a few times this season where Mike Brown’s pace-and-space, spray to open shooter philosophy has taken a step back to Brunson hero-ball when the Knicks can’t buy a bucket. That’s a good thing.

It’s all resulted in games that feel mundane. You usually know pretty early what way a game is going, and that can be boring to some, but if the Knicks are winning? I have no problem with it.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...s-nba-mike-brown-clutch-brunson-tom-thibodeau

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks’ Jalen Brunson named NBA Player of the Week

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, along with his old Mavericks running mate and current Los Angeles Lakers leader Luka Doncic, has been named NBA Player of the Week for Week 6 of the 2025–26 season, putting a strong finish on the month of November for the Knicks.

NBA Players of the Week for Week 6.

West: Luka Dončić (@Lakers)
East: Jalen Brunson (@nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/AZneuxzI6x

— NBA (@NBA) December 1, 2025

Brunson put together a big-time stretch, averaging 28.8 points and 4.5 assists while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from three. His play pushed New York to a perfect 4 and 0 week, giving Knicks fans plenty to be thankful for during the Holiday week.

The highlight of Brunson’s week came against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night, as he led the Knicks with 37 points during a hard-fought 118-109 NBA Cup win.

Brunson had two other 30+ point performances against Orlando and Charlotte, as well as a 27-point performance against the cross-town rival Brooklyn Nets, and 28 points against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks.

This is the seventh time Brunson has taken home the Player of the Week honor. He is now just one away from tying Carmelo Anthony for the second most in Knicks history, with Patrick Ewing still holding the top spot.

The Knicks will be on the road on Tuesday, facing the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, before returning to MSG for a three-game homestand starting Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...ks-jalen-brunson-named-nba-player-of-the-week

 

[New York Knicks]

Celtics 123, Knicks 117: Scenes from the 500th game between two rivals

On a chilly night in Massachusetts, the New York Knicks (13-7) crushed the first quarter behind scorching shooting from McBride and Hart, but the Celtics (12-9) stormed back with a dominant second period and rode Jaylen Brown to a 58–52 halftime score. In the third, Brown kept scoring in the paint (from everywhere, really), the Knicks’ defense vanished, and the score ballooned to 94–76 heading into the fourth. With Jalen Brunson spinning his wheels (6-of-21 from the floor tonight), Mikal Bridges provided second half heroics and the Knicks won the final frame 41-29, but an 18-point hole proved too much to overcome. Boston wins, 123-117.

Bridges finished with a season-high 35 points and a career-high of eight three-pointers, missing only four long attempts. Add six boards, three dimes, and two steals and this is a contender for best Bridges game as a Knick. Conversely, Brunson’s statline is brutal: 15 points on a horrible shooting night, uncharacteristically missing normally money bunnies and yapping at the refs for no-calls. One for the wastebasket.

Boston won the boards and outscored New York by 14 in the paint. Brown recorded 42 points on 16-of-24 and Derrick White added 22. The Celtics, known for their longball shooting, changed their strategy to attack from within the arc. They made just 13-of-40 from deep, but 56% from the field. Tough loss, and you just know it would be a different story if OG Anunoby was available.

First Half​

It was weird to hear so many fans at TD Garden saying, in unison, “Deeeuuuccceee!” whenever McBride cocked back for a triple. The Knicks fanatics who infiltrated the enemy camp had reason to cheer early, as the visitors went ahead 17-4—thanks in part to Miles hitting two from deep. According to the intrepid Ian Begley, with that pair, McBride had hit 14 of his last 22 attempts from deep. Sure seems like he’s overcome whatever ailed him to start the season.

Also on fire: Josh Hart, making all three of his first 3P attempts. With three minutes to go, and Mitchell Robinson in, Boston coach Joe Mazzulla began his Hack-A-Mitch strategy. The big fella made one of four freebies. It makes for a tedious watch. Meanwhile, the Celtics turned the ball over five times to the Knicks’ one, and Boston missed eight longball tries until Anfernee Simons made one with 30 seconds to go. Score after one: Knicks, 32-21.

In the second frame, Boston made 12 straight, trimming New York’s lead to two. After that dip, the Knicks tried to right the ship with another Hart three-pointer (4-for-4 so far) and this crafty Kolek move:

Boston had momentum, though. They outscored the Knicks 12-3 and, behind a Jaylen Brown scoring burst (he dropped 18 points in the frame), took the lead around the five-minute mark and went ahead by seven with two-ish minutes left. Outscored 37-20 in the quarter, the Knicks entered intermission behind, 58-52.

New York lived on the perimeter, hitting nine threes at a 43% clip and swinging the ball for 13 assists. They also grabbed six offensive boards and five steals. The Beantown Bunch was supposed to attack behind the arc, but thus far, they’d hit just four threes (24%) and done all their damage scoring 32 points in the paint.

Second Half​

Jaylen Brown found the Knicks frontcourt exceedingly accommodating to his driving layups, and so he continued to visit the cup. When he felt like mixing it up, he added a mid-range jumper, and, for kicks, a three-pointer. Here the jerk imitates Dirk:

Mikal Bridges was warming up, making 14 of his 18 points (so far), but the Knicks still trailed by 10 with about four minutes left. They weren’t getting calls, which flustered them, and they didn’t play defense, which burned them. A 12-0 Celtics run to end the frame—which included two poorly-timed Knicks turnovers—goosed the score to 94-76. Wherefore art thou, OG Anunoby?

Coach Mike Brown followed his usual formula, starting Kolek for Brunson to kick off the fourth quarter, letting Captain Clutch recharge for late game availability. Coach also went double-big, with Towns and Robinson sharing the floor (finally…), plus Hart and Clarkson. While Jaylen Brown also rested, the Knicks’ odd assortment started the period 11-2 to come within nine. That 18-point hole was mighty deep to overcome, however. Sam Hauser hit a trey; KAT turned the ball over (trying to dribble behind his back in traffic…), which resulted in a Simons three-point play; and Brunson, back on the battlefield, whiffed on another long attempt (he was 1-of-8 by late in the fourth). It didn’t look good. . . .

But here comes Mikal! He scored eight points in the first half of the fourth to whittle the difference to three.

Immediately after, Jordan Walsh scored four unanswered points (and stole the ball), and Josh Minott made a corner shot without a defender in spitting distance. Every time the Knicks got close, they let the Green Goons pad the lead again. With two minutes left, New York was down by five. Brunson tried to draw a charge but that backfired. Brown hit two freebies for a seven-point lead.

Bridges drilled a triple to make it a four-point game with 45 seconds left. Brown passed the ball to the front row, giving them another try, but Mikal missed from yard, and, some late game sloppiness notwithstanding, that concluded matters.

Up Next​

A proper Miranda recap for you lucky mucks. As for the Knicks, they’re zipping home to face the Charlotte Hornets tomorrow. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...scenes-from-the-500th-game-between-two-rivals

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘I’ll go have lunch with them right now. We’re good’

The Knicks made TD look like Madison Square for a quarter, then got mollywopped and sent packing to the one and only Garden.

New York keeps losing road games they should win against subpar teams. Alas. The Knicks are back at MSG tonight with a get-right chance against the ludicrous Hornets.

Here’s what you need to know that came out of the protagonists’ mouths.

Mike Brown: "I thought the second and third quarter, we didn't play up to the level we're capable of, which is going to happen."
He loved the first quarter approach.

"Their bench had a really good impact on the game."

— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) December 3, 2025

Mike Brown​

On complaints to officials hurting the Knicks:
“At the end of the game, we had 17 free throws, and they had 14. We went to the free-throw line more than they did. One of the things we pride ourselves on is to try and be a ‘no excuse’ team. I thought tonight we were all on the officials a little too much. That was big.”

On the horrible second and third quarters vs. Boston:
“I thought the second and third quarter, we didn’t play up to the level we’re capable of, which is going to happen. Their bench had a really good impact on the game.”

On player attitude toward officials:
“We got caught up in the officials a little too much. They’re human, they’ll make some good calls and some bad calls in the course of the game. But we had 17 free throws and they had 14. One of the things we pride ourselves on is being a no-excuse team. Tonight we were on the officials a little too much.”

On the offensive execution against Boston:
“A post-up is a paint touch, and a drive is a paint touch. If anyone draws two … they got to spray it. I thought through the first quarter we did a good job of spraying the basketball. I think we had seven sprays in one quarter, which we lead the league in. … We didn’t do a great job in that second quarter of touching the paint and spraying it, and Towns was one of the few guys that didn’t do that.”

On Jalen Brunson’s shot selection on Tuesday:
“I thought he got the normal looks that he normally takes. So he’s got to keep shooting them, he’s got to keep getting to his spots. I thought he took good 3s, too. They just didn’t go in. And that happens sometimes. So a guy like him, he’s got to keep letting it fly if he’s open.”

On Mikal Bridges’ effort vs. Boston:
“He was feeling it and he was aggressive and I thought our guys did a good job trying to find him, and he hit some big shots for us. He was one of the guys trying to will us back into the game offensively.”

On the defensive breakdowns against the Celtics:
“We just couldn’t get it done defensively. We didn’t play at the level we’re capable of. We know we can play better. That’s going to happen from time to time.”

On managing player minutes:
“If we had our whole roster, it would be less. This is why we try to manage our minutes from jump street, because we’re gonna have injuries. We’re gonna have tough, tight, overtime ballgames. So guys are gonna have to play extended minutes from time to time. But you hope, more so than not, when you have everybody, you can have the minutes for everybody in the low 30s. At the end of the day, it’s gonna all balance out. Eventually, we’re gonna get guys back and it will start balancing out a little bit better.”

On minutes management philosophy:
“It’s important to win, but you also have to understand, ‘Hey, I want to keep this guy’s minutes here, this guy’s minutes here, this guy’s minutes here, instead of trying to extend everybody’s minutes.’ Because if the season is long, we don’t want anybody worn out by the end.”

Mike Brown on Brunson's struggles: "I felt he got the normal looks he takes. He's got to keep shooting and get to his spots. I thought he took good 3s, too. They just didn't go in."

— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) December 3, 2025

Jalen Brunson​

On his awful performance in the Celtics loss:
“I didn’t do my team any service. It’s unfortunate. Throughout the game, I just didn’t help at all.”

On the need for team accountability and attention to detail:
“[We’re] holding each other more accountable, paying attention to detail a little bit more. I think we can still get better at that. I think the little things matter more than you think, and if we keep believing that and keep doing that, we’ll keep winning games. But playing in this league — there’s obviously so much talent in this league — the little things can make or break wins and losses. So we’ve gotta continue to do all the little stuff and keep piggybacking and going off those wins.”

Brown said, at this point in year, he wants to Mitch to work through his free-throw shooting. But said he's also not opposed to making a change if they need to.

— James L. Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) December 3, 2025

Karl-Anthony Towns​

On Jalen Brunson’s struggles against Boston:
“Things like that happen. It’s 82 games in the season and he’s one of the best players in the NBA. So things happen. He didn’t lose his mojo. We know who he is, what he does. So he’s going to be all right. I expect him to bounce back like he’s been doing all season.”

On the current starting lineup:
“It’s just a different lineup. Mitch in the starting lineup, Josh Hart in the starting lineup, we feel comfortable going out there every night that we have a chance to win. And it’s because of the work we put in in practice and on our games individually in our free time. Josh has done a great job of playing recently, and he’s been fantastic all year, but any one of us could be in the starting lineup and feel like we can contribute and impact winning. So that just speaks to our locker room.”

On the Game 1 comeback against Boston last playoffs:
“That was not our strategy. We did not big-brain that. I know Thibs is a madman with an amazing IQ. That was not one of the ideas. I think that Game 1 showed all the improvements that we made not only as players, as physical talents, but you know, mentally. Last year we were such a mentally tough team that nothing bothered us or wavered us. And the 20-point deficit against the champs and being in their home, that didn’t matter to us. We keep fighting to the horn goes off.”

On the Game 2 win in last year’s series:
“We just kept fighting to the horn went off and found ourselves with the win and Mikal getting an amazing steal. So didn’t expect deja vu, but it was. And it showed that if you doubted us Game 1 we showed what we can do with the same situation. Obviously not favorable for us. Not something we wanted to be in. But it just shows the mental fortitude of our team.”

On his desire to stay with the Knicks by signing a long-term deal in New York:
“Hell yeah, hell yeah. I want to stay here. Obviously get a chance to be home, see my family. It means more than the money, you know. So just to be able to be here with the fans, be with the family. It means a lot. I would like it to continue.”

On his relationship with the front office:
“Me, Leon Rose and Gerson Rosas and everyone, we’re great. I’ll go have lunch with them right now. We’re good.”

On playing center vs. power forward:
“It’s just a different place I’m in in our system. Totally different system. So when I’m 5 or I’m 4, it’s a totally different script for me in the game. Trying to impact winning as much as possible and I’m happy I’m able to do that so far this year.”

An incredible performance for Mikal Bridges despite the loss pic.twitter.com/aL9pnpG76N

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 3, 2025

Mikal Bridges​

On the defensive breakdowns vs. Boston:
“We weren’t guarding the ball well, but, also, secondary help. Obviously, we have to guard the ball well. But there was no help the helper. We can’t do that to a really good team. It felt like we were leaving guys on an island, and guys can get blown by — there was no stepping over and making them kick it out.”

On the minutes load under Mike Brown:
“Not complaining at all.”

On adapting to a new coach and system:
“Just understanding and adapting through a new system, a new coach, and for the guys not listening to noise. I know fans and stuff — I’m not saying all because I know a lot understand what a new system and a new coach does for players — how difficult it can be trying to learn, especially off past success. It’s different. It’s going to take some time. I think we’re learning and not paying attention to what others think and knowing that being here every single day all we’ve got to do is learn. It’s going to take growth.”

On the Celtics being dangerous despite missing players:
“Man, they still got the coach, coach Joe Mazzulla, and I think he’s a hell of a coach. They’ve got guys that are going to play hard, smart, a lot of talent. I know they’ve got guys banged up or not here, but they’ve got next man up and they come out playing hard, physical, and doing whatever it takes to win.”

"I thought Josh Hart got off to a great start in that game. When something like that happens, it forces you to have to decide what you're going to do from an adjustment standpoint."

Joe Mazzulla talks about the Celtics' adjustments after the Knicks' fast start tonight: pic.twitter.com/T1gtTHweND

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 3, 2025

Josh Hart​

On the team priorities going forward:
“We have to make sure we’re locked in on making sure the success of the team is the No. 1 objective.”

On letting Tuesday’s game slip away:
“We got off to a good start, and we relaxed.”

On th need to avoid complacency with big leads:
“We can’t get bored with what’s working, what’s winning basketball. I felt like we got bored doing that. And then we started doing whatever, playing bad offense, giving up anything defensively. So we’ve got to make sure we’re locked in on making sure the success of the team is the No. 1 objective. I mean, it’s human nature sometimes when you get those big leads. Now you’re up 15, up 20 sometimes, let me figure out a way to score, how to get mine. Not in a bad way. That’s human nature. We’ve got to try to combat that. We’ve got to make sure even when we get up 15, we get up 20, we’re continuing to push the pace, continuing to play fast, continuing to play our basketball. I think it’s frankly just kind of stupidity to play one style of basketball, get a 15, 20-point lead, and then abandon what got you the lead. We’ve got to make sure we continue to focus on that and build off of it.”

On playing starter minutes again:
“Sometimes, obviously when you’re starting, it’s a little bit different, because your body is already moving, you’re already warm, those kinds of things. When you come off the bench, you gotta get your body warm again. … It’s a lot of getting warm, cooling down, trying to stay warm, those kinds of things. Starting and playing, you obviously don’t gotta worry about getting cold or stiff.”

On the Knicks’ improving chemistry:
“We’re extremely comfortable. I think we’re starting to make reads and starting to play off each other’s movements and those kinds of things and knowing where guys are going to be and knowing certain spots. So we’re getting more and more comfortable.”

Deuce McBride’s NBA on NBC player introduction was .

WVU Legend @deucemcb11 pic.twitter.com/Szcd0cpyf9

— The New York Daly News (Sports) (@NYDALYNEWS) December 3, 2025

Deuce McBride​

On his recent hot shooting stretch:
“I expect to make shots. My teammates did a great job of find me. I just wanted to shoot it with confidence.”

On hearing the crowd shouting his name:
“Usually after it goes in the net… that’s when I start listening a little bit. But whoever started [the chant], shout out to them.”

On shooting routine changes helping improve his numbers:
“Honestly? [I haven’t done] anything different than I’ve done my whole life.”

Joe Mazzulla was asked about Mikal Bridges exchanging words with the Celtics' bench:

"I don't mind that stuff. I like it. It's part of the game. Keeps me going and I thought the guys handled it well." pic.twitter.com/58dnDSTneu

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 3, 2025

Joe Mazzulla​

On adjusting to Hart’s hot start:
“I thought Josh Hart got off to a great start in that game. When something like that happens, it forces you to have to decide what you’re going to do from an adjustment standpoint.”

On Bridges’ trash talk:
“I don’t mind that stuff. I like it. It’s part of the game. Keeps me going and I thought the guys handled it well.”

Jaylen Brown talks about the Celtics' win over the Knicks:

"It's a great win for us. That was a great win. I'll take every one we can get. Obviously, a team that knocked you out in the playoffs, it's even sweeter to come back.

But it's just one game. We've just got to focus on… pic.twitter.com/yWSm1hBE3z

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 3, 2025

Jaylen Brown​

On beating the Knicks:
“It’s a great win for us. That was a great win. I’ll take every one we can get. Obviously, a team that knocked you out in the playoffs, it’s even sweeter to come back. But it’s just one game. We’ve just got to focus on the next one now and that’s what’s most important.”

With Chris Paul news, resurfacing what I reported that the Knicks had discussed possibility trading for the future Hall of Famer. Paul was repped for a long time by Leon Rose. https://t.co/nE4LCr6A7W

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) December 3, 2025

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...l-go-have-lunch-with-them-right-now-were-good

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks 119, Hornets 104: Big KAT beats bugs

With everyone buzzing about a possible Thanasis Antetokounmpo trade, basketball was played at Madison Square Garden tonight, with the New York Knicks (14-7) hosting the Charlotte Hornets (6-16). For the second straight night, New York controlled the first quarter (limiting the Stingers to just 12 points) but faltered in the second, clinging to a 53-47 halftime lead. After a concerning start to the second half, Karl-Anthony Towns took charge, and the ‘Bockers withstood a scoring barrage by LaMelo Ball to win, 119-104.

Towns was the dominant force of the night, pouring in 35 points with 13-of-23 shooting, grabbing 18 boards, and adding five assists, two steals, and just one turnover. Jalen Brunson added 26 points on 9-of-16 from the field and had the steady hand whenever Charlotte got frisky. Josh Hart delivered his usual all-around excellence with 17 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Mikal Bridges quietly chipped in 16 points and timely stops. Rounding out the starters, Miles McBride continued his hot shooting from three and posted 15 points and +18 in 34 minutes.

The bench scoring was mostly invisible, with just 12 points split between Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek. Guerschon Yabusele and Ariel Hukporti combined for zero points and three boards in 21 minutes. The latter fouled out in 12 minutes, which is kind of impressive in a way.

For the Hornets, Ball finished with 34 points, nine assists, and eight boards on 12-of-27 shooting. And Kon Knueppel, the popular rookie, scored 13 points and made one three-pointer. He’s 1-of-13 from deep against the Knicks this season. Stick that in your Rookie-of-the-Year pipe and smoke it.

First Half​

The Hornets began the contest missing seven of their first nine shots. New York was bricky, too, missing all four of their first long attempts, but they made half of their field goals to take a 14-7 lead by midway through the quarter.

Charlotte really excels at fouling, leading the league in that department, but played a pretty clean first quarter (three fouls for them, none for the Knicks). However, the visitors finished the frame with six turnovers to five made field goals. The ugly shooting was contagious. The teams combined to shoot 3-of-23 from downtown, and New York missed eight tries before Deuce McBride dropped one with the clock running out. By the break, New York was ahead 27-12. That’s right, 12.

Rookie of the Year contender Kon Knueppel missed all seven three-point attempts when these clubs clashed last Wednesday. He missed three to start tonight. For the Knicks, Coach Mike Brown subbed in Ariel Hukporti with under two minutes to go, playing minutes that would have gone to Mitchell Robinson (load management).

In the second period, New York stretched their lead to 20, but Charlotte clawed back with a flurry of threes from Kon Knueppel, Salleun, and LaMelo Ball, plus lively paint play by Ryan Kalkbrenner, trimming the lead to three. The Knicks were out-rebounded and outgunned.

Making two of three so far tonight, McBride has made 19 of his last 28 three-point attempts. Aside from him and Tyler Kolek, the home team went 2-of-16. Towns hit one of those, and Brunson canned the other at the buzzer, giving New York a 53-47 lead.

This game mirrored last night’s, with the Knicks dominating the first quarter and snoozing through the second. After limiting the Hornets to 12 points, they were outscored 35-26 in the second period. This seemed like a possible trend, but perhaps not. According to the stats I checked, they’ve won the first quarter 13 times this season but lost the second in just four of those. So, maybe not a trend after all?

Through two quarters, both teams shot 43% from the field, and the three-point accuracy was mutually unattractive (Knicks 6-for-21; Hornets 6-for-22). Our heroes doubled Charlotte’s assists (14 to 8) and won the turnover battle (five giveaways, all in Q2, to the Hornets’ nine). KAT led the way for New York with 19 points; LaMelo Ball scored nine for the villains.

Second Half​

The Knicks began the half with terrible defensive efforts, causing Mike Brown to beg for a timeout before two minutes had passed. Whatever wisdom he imparted seemed to correct the problem. From there, KAT served up two treys, Brunson added a bucket or two, and Bridges had a few beautiful touches at the rim to restore an 18-point lead. Bridges and Hukporti recorded back-to-back blocks, both of which were cashed in at the other end. With help from Ball, Liam McNeeley, and Knueppel, the Hornets showed some interest in keeping up. By the quarter’s curtain, New York was ahead 90-75.

Hukporti recorded his second block to start the final frame, then fouled out after 12 total minutes of play. Shortly before his sixth foul, Huk passed up a dunk to kick out to the corner, and Mike Breen was flabbergasted. So were we. This is not the Incredible Huk we’d hoped for. . . .

Until midway through the fourth, the Hornets circled that 15-point deficit, making insincere feints at comebacks. Then Ball hit back-to-back triples and a free-throw, and now the number was 11; and after two McBride free throws, Tidjane Salaun scored five straight to make it eight. Would the Knicks gird their loins, summon their resolve, and prevent a collapse?

They would. McBride hit a triple, Brunson scored an And-1, and with two-ish minutes remaining, the 14-point differential was secure.

Up Next​

Jazz at the Garden on Friday. Rest up, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...021/knicks-119-hornets-104-big-kat-beats-bugs

 

[New York Knicks]

Game Thread: Knicks vs. Hornets, Dec. 3, 2025

The New York Knicks (13-7) enter tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets (6-15) as favorites, but smarting from last night’s close loss in Boston. Our heroes are 10-1 at home, while the injury-shortened Hornets limp in after losing to the Nets on Monday. This would be the perfect game for the Knicks’ bench to get a lotta reps.

Tip-off is 7:30 pm EST on MSG Network. This is your game thread. This is At the Hive. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool, but not cold; chill, but not chilly. And go Knicks!

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...6008/game-thread-knicks-vs-hornets-dec-3-2025

 

[New York Knicks]

Mike Brown’s rotations need some work without OG Anunoby

The way the Knicks are built, things will never be fully cohesive without their best defender. While OG Anunoby has reportedly resumed taking contact in practice and is inching closer to a return, the Knicks are likely going to slow-play him, not risking things in an 82-game season.

Mike Brown said that OG Anunoby has taken contact in practice but the Knicks "won't rush him" pic.twitter.com/tZLSHsXqY0

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 3, 2025

So in the meantime, the Knicks have to deal with what they’ve got. That task became especially more perilous when Landry Shamet hurt his shoulder two weeks ago, thinning the Knicks’ depth to the point that Tyler Kolek got out of the doghouse.

For the most part, the Knicks have held serve without Anunoby, currently being 6-3 in nine games without him. While they’ve benefitted from a soft part of the schedule, they’ve also defeated the Bucks and the Raptors, two teams who figured to take advantage of a smaller Knicks team with their leading scorers being big wings (Brandon Ingram and, of course, Giannis).

But there’s been a pattern, win or lose, in the last few games for the Knicks. Starting with the blowout win over the Raptors, the Knicks have jumped out to jaw-dropping early leads, only to squander them, either fully or partially.

• 11/30 vs TOR: up 48-24 in Q2, Raptors go on 22-3 run and eventually pull within 3 in Q3.
• 12/2 @ BOS: up 39-25 in Q2, Celtics go on 12-0 run, eventually take 18-point lead after 3.
• 12/3 vs CHA: up 41-21 in Q2, Hornets go on 26-9 run to pull within three in just seven minutes

Of course, these can be just the ebbs and flows of an NBA game, but if you look deeper, it’s predicated on the lineups being run.

There are three lineup no-nos in the modern NBA. You don’t run a lineup that’s too small against most opponents, you don’t run spacing nightmare lineups, and you don’t keep your two best offensive players on the bench at the same time.

The Knicks have run all three of these no-nos at times this season, but the first and third ones have been a big issue in that three-game stretch.

Despite their weaknesses defensively, there should never be a lineup without Jalen Brunson or Karl-Anthony Towns on the court. Yet, we’ve seen brief spurts where the Knicks utilize a lineup with neither, and it predictably doesn’t work. The Knicks’ on/off stats with KAT and Brunson (removing garbage time) are pretty evident.

The Knicks have an elite offense, as long as one of them is out there. They’ve only played 15 meaningful minutes without either when both are available, and it goes about as you expect. Even if you add in games where one is unavailable, it’s more of the same.

That issue, however, isn’t the most prevalent. Mike Brown knows he can’t rely on lineups with neither for more than a few possessions, so the focus shifts to the supporting cast.

In these last three games, the Knicks have deployed a starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Deuce McBride, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns. That lineup, in 55 total minutes, has bludgeoned teams to a net rating of plus-30.1, powered by an unstoppable offense (148.7 ORtg) and crisp passing (3.9 assist-to-turnover ratio).

But what happens in those other minutes? The second-most common lineup is the traditional unit that starts the second quarter, where Towns, Hart, and McBride stay on while Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek relieve Bridges and Brunson. That lineup, in 16 minutes, has been horrifically bad, posting a miserable minus-32.1 net rating.

Those are the only two five-man lineups to accrue more than six minutes in that stretch, but we can look deeper and see which players are stumbling when paired together. The worst pairings? They’re when the Knicks play a brand of super small ball that also involves a smattering of bad defenders.

Kolek and Clarkson, as the two main backup guards, played 30 minutes together in this sample and got crushed (minus-35 net rating). Kolek paired with Hart produced even worse numbers (minus-42.4 in 24 minutes). Don’t get me started with the eight brief minutes he shared the floor with Brunson, which produced an unbelievable defensive rating of 229.4 and a net rating in the negative triple digits.

There were four brief minutes of Kolek, Clarkson, and Brunson that, predictably, had generationally bad numbers. There were also rough numbers when Kolek and Clarkson were paired with either Towns (minus-14.6 in 22 minutes) or Mitchell Robinson (minus-50.8 in nine minutes).

So what’s the fix in all this? It might just be to be smarter in how the team plays Deuce McBride and Mitchell Robinson.

On a team full of small guards, you need to prioritize the one who can defend. McBride, especially with his recent hot shooting, has been a key contributor on this team and should be utilized in a way to break up lineups that contain Clarkson and Kolek. There’s also a way to help counteract the team’s struggles with size by utilizing Mitch more with KAT instead of exclusively as a second-unit big.

There was a reason Mike Brown decided to move Robinson to the bench, and he’s been overwhelmingly successful in that regard, but since Robinson’s benching, he’s rarely used the two bigs together. In the first two games, the two got crushed in 15 combined minutes, to the point where it seems to have slightly scared Mike Brown. Yet, in the two games since, they’ve seen tremendous success with both on the floor.

Even with Robinson missing Wednesday’s game due to load management, the Knicks got good results with Ariel Hukporti teaming up with Towns for five minutes before he proceeded to be the quickest Knick to foul out since Michael Beasley eight years ago.

Ultimately, there’s no perfect fix. Unless Mike Brown gets haunted by the “Ghost of Thibs’ Past” and shortens the rotation to play the excelling starters even more, this will probably continue to happen. With big games upcoming against Orlando and Toronto (NBA Cup edition!), Coach Brown will continue to have to tinker.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...-rotations-og-anunoby-kolek-clarkson-robinson

 

[New York Knicks]

The Knicks sting the Hornets to win their 11th game at MSG [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]

The Knicks bounced back at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, powering past the Charlotte Hornets 119–104 and extending their home record to 11–1. Karl-Anthony Towns set the tone with a 35-point, 18-rebound performance, while Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart steadied the rotation—just what the doctor ordered after Tuesday’s loss in Boston. Shara Taylor was on-site for Posting & Toasting, covering the team’s adjustments, Mike Brown’s reflections, and the atmosphere of a Garden of Dreams Foundation night.

Watch her video below:

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...to-win-their-11th-game-at-msg-exclusive-video

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks 146, Jazz 112: They shoot horses, don’t they?

The Utah Jazz (8-14) beat the Brooklyn Nets last night for their second road win. Despite their record, they’ve put forth spunky efforts many times this season. And they have NBA players (Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, etc.) on their roster. There was reason to expect the Salt City crew to give the Knicks a little bit of challenge tonight, something in the way of competition. They surely wouldn’t be complete and total pushovers.

Brother, let me tell you that was a disastrous performance. New York started the game with a 23-point run and never bothered to check their mirrors. They led 68-47 at halftime, scored a season-high 47 points in the third quarter, and finished with a 146-112 win.

That brings New York’s home record to 12-1. Best in a long time, apparently. Tonight also marked OG Anunoby’s first game back after missing nine with a strained hamstring. Although he looked rusty at times, he provided steady two-way support and 11 points in his 23 minutes.

Karl-Anthony Towns was a force inside and out, scoring 18 and grabbing nine boards while hitting 4-of-6 from deep. Josh Hart delivered another hustle performance, piling up eight points, six boards and assists, and was a +37 in his 28 minutes. Mikal Bridges played just 20 minutes, probably an overdue breather for the iron man. He scored an efficient 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting. And Jalen Brunson dominated, dropping 33 points and making 6-of-9 from deep in 31 minutes.

With an embarrassment of riches tonight, one might edge out the others: Miles McBride, back with the second unit due to Anunoby’s return, finished with 22 points in 22 minutes, making seven of ten attempts from beyond the arc. He’s made 27 of his last 42 longball attempts. Bench scoring problem: solved.

For the Jazz, Markkanen and George scored 18 each. The team shot 40% and 36%, were out rebounded 46-37 and outscored in the paint 54-36. It’s hard to imagine the Knicks will have a more dominant performance this season.

First Half​

The Knicks totally blitzed the Jazz in the opening quarter. New York scored 23 points and held Utah scoreless for the first six-and-a-half minutes, building a lead that eventually reached 28 points. The telecast said it was historic, and according to the NBA’s X feed, “The 23-0 starting run by the Knicks is the largest game-opening run without an opponent point in the PxP era (1997-98).” Wild.

The visitors made just 4-of-23 from the field (17%) and zilch in the paint, while our heroes converted shots at a 61% clip, dominated the glass 20–8, and racked up easy points in transition and at the rim. With a 16–0 advantage in the paint and a 9–0 edge in fast-break scoring, the Knicks finished the period ahead 41-13. That was their second straight first quarter rout; on Wednesday, they limited Charlotte to 12.

Mikal went 5-of-5 in the quarter. Cue the Sweet Georgia Brown:

The Jazz opened Q2 still down big but still showed some fight. Midway through the frame, Utah strung together a few makes by Markkanen, Love, and George, but New York was just taking a breather. McBride hit multiple threes, Hart and Bridges scored in transition, and Robinson hammered home a dunk to keep the margin comfy and cozy. By the buzzer, Utah had outscored the Knicks 34-27 but didn’t once trim the deficit to less than 20. Your intermission score: Knicks, 68-47.

Through the first half, the Knicks hit 51% from the field and nearly 48% from deep, doubled Utah’s paint production (24–10), and beat them in transition. Utah scraped together some threes and free throws, but their 33% shooting and performance in the paint could fairly be described as woeful. Off the bench for New York, Miles “Can’t Miss” McBride’s 16 points on 5‑8 FG (5‑7 3PT) topped the scorecard. Keyonte George had 14 for the Jazz.

Second Half​

Has the NBA ever had a mercy rule? By the 3:30 mark, when Deuce McBride drilled back-to-back treys and stretched the differential to 33, my cold, callused heart began to feel some sympathy for the visiting team. Then it got worse. Hart dunked and the lead reached 35. A minute later, Brunson hit another triple and free throws, making it 39. With 30 seconds to go, the lead reached 41. Will Hardy’s boys were waving a white flag, a white towel, white undies—anything they could get their hands on to signal a plea for mercy. New York scored 47 points in the frame, their highest total for a quarter this season. Hell, we’ve seen plenty of games when the Knicks scored less than 47 points in a half.

Heading into the fourth quarter, up 115-77, the Knicks were thoroughly enjoying themselves. The last of the starters subbed out (McBride at the nine minute mark, Anunoby at seven), and the second stringers oversaw the end of the game. What’s that mean? It means that Tyler Kolek, Ariel Hukporti, Guerschon Yabusele, and Jordan Clarkson got extra reps, and you get a Mohamed Diawara highlight!

Up Next​

The Orlando Magic return to the Garden on Sunday in what should be a more competitive affair. Sleep tight, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...icks-146-jazz-112-they-shoot-horses-dont-they

 

[New York Knicks]

Game Thread: Knicks vs. Jazz, Dec. 5, 2025

The Knicks return to Madison Square Garden tonight looking to extend their dominant 11–1 home record against a struggling Jazz team that has won just two road games. (One of those wins came last night, in Brooklyn.) New York’s balanced offense meets a Utah defense that has had trouble containing anyone, but few things are guaranteed in the NBA—except Thunder wins, Nikola Jokić triple-doubles, and Chris Paul getting under somebody’s skin.

Tip off is 7:30 p.m. EST on MSG Network and NBA League Pass. This is your game thread. This is SLC Dunk. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-game-threads/76100/game-thread-knicks-vs-jazz-dec-5-2025

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘They played well together last year, so I did look at that’

The Knicks made history on Friday, scoring 41 points in the first quarter. Make that make sense.

New York plays basketball on Sunday, tip-off set at Noon. It’s an 11 a.m. tip-off in my timezone. Make that make sense.

Here’s what we heard around yesterday’s game.

Mike Brown on how the Knicks expanded their lead in the 3rd quarter tonight:

"It's hard in this league to go up 20, and then maintain 20 the rest of the game. Teams are talented. Defensively we started making sure we were handling our business the right way" pic.twitter.com/GRcmLsEliU

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 6, 2025

Mike Brown​

On Anunoby’s limited minutes in his return:
“It was tough because you always wonder… you get a big lead, you don’t want anybody to get hurt. But we needed to get OG some game minutes to work on his conditioning. He looked good for the time he was out there. I would have loved to get him 25–26 minutes, but 22–23 worked good enough, especially with the way we had the lead tonight.”

On lineup decisions and closing lineups:
“Yeah, they played well together last year. So I did look at that. But again, I’m not, whether it’s right or wrong, not a huge proponent of starting the five guys that are going to end the game. To me, who ends the game is a much bigger deal. But at the end of the day, if something is best for our team, then I’m going to try to go that direction.”

On using lineup data and combinations:
“I look at lineup data. What I try to do is match certain combinations together with their skill sets based on offensively, defensively whether the guy is stronger on this side of the ball or that side of the ball, then trying to keep a certain amount of size on the floor, trying to keep a guy on the floor that can be pretty good on the ball if needed. Those are kind of the things I look for, mixing and matching these different lineups. But I’m not hesitant to look at any data at all. Sometimes the eye test can be wrong just like the data can be misleading.”

On McBride’s defense:
“Our defensive player of the game was Deuce. Deuce has done a lot the past few days defensively. The one thing that he’s been phenomenal at is in pick and roll situations, just one-twoing into the ball and warring over that screen with the ball. Having that type of impact at the point of our defense has been great. He earned it tonight. Not just based on tonight, but the last few games too.”

On trying to find minutes for McBride:
“I was going to start Josh. The thing that was probably the hardest was trying to figure out, because Deuce has played well, but just trying to get Deuce on the floor without playing him like a 20-minute or 17-minute run. Trying to break it up to where, at the end of the day, and obviously with the score what it was, he didn’t really hit it where I wanted him at the end of the day. He deserves to play 25, 26 minutes coming off the bench, if not more. So, trying to find time for him so we can keep him on the floor was my biggest struggle.”

On Anunoby’s absence and team depth:
“It’s a deep team and it’s a diverse team. We mix and match in a lot of different ways. Those are probably the two biggest things. The reality of it is everybody works extremely hard and is trying to stay ready to play, no matter if your number is called or not.”

On the team’s execution against Utah:
“I thought our guys did a nice job. They came out locked in defensively, especially to start the game. I thought we did a good job of moving the basketball and trying to play with pace and spacing. I thought all of our offensive staples were good, while we tried to do what we needed to defensively. … Collectively, that’s a good win for us.”

On responding to a second-quarter lapse:
“We let our foot off the gas a little bit at the end of the second quarter, and I challenged them at the start of the second half, and our guys responded at the start of the third. So, I take my hat off to everybody in the group, and everybody on the team, top to bottom.”

"It felt good. Missed playing with my teammates. Missed the fans. I missed it, it was really fun playing"

– OG Anunoby on his return pic.twitter.com/9aOLRKUxNK

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 6, 2025

OG Anunoby​

On the Knicks’ 23–0 start:
“I didn’t really notice it. We were just playing. Someone told us later. I didn’t even notice they didn’t score; we were just getting stops and going. So felt pretty good just playing the way we try to play all the time.”

On his return from injury:
“Just try to help in any way possible. Be supportive, talk to my teammates, tell them what I’m seeing, and still help.”

Deuce McBride on his hot stretch from deep of late:

"I don't pay attention to the numbers. I have no clue. Just want to do whatever I can to help the team win, trusting God in the process" pic.twitter.com/Kn2Qw9aKYS

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 6, 2025

Miles McBride​

On his shooting stats:
“Y’all are telling me. I don’t pay attention to the numbers, I have no clue. I just wanna do whatever I can do to help the team win, trusting God in the process.”

On teammates finding him:
“Y’all are telling me the numbers. I’m just out there. My teammates are doing a great job of finding me. Feels natural.”

On making an impact regardless of role:
“I really try to make it as minimal as I can. Bring energy, bring a toughness to the game. Obviously, my shot-making ability. The main thing I just want to impact the game, impact winning any way I can.”

On paying attention to the scoreboard:
“I definitely do pay attention to the scoreboard, looking up, especially as a point guard. The starters got us rocking, so it was easy to do my job.”

Boston JB: Wins by 6, goes on twitch and says "belt to ass"

New York JB: Wins by 34 after NBA record 23-0 start and says "it's pretty cool" pic.twitter.com/ZspazoUCZV

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 6, 2025

Jalen Brunson​

On the team’s third-quarter response:
“We still didn’t play our best in the second quarter, but the way we came out in the third and just tried to increase the lead, that made up for it. Happy with the way we responded.”

DEUUUUUUCE

Miles McBride brings the same passion and energy every game – whether it's starting or off the bench. @nyknicks | @alanhahn | #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/ebsqKKPtix

— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) December 6, 2025

Jordan Clarkson​

On coaching and playing freedom:
“Jordan is one of one. He is very creative, he has an artist’s brain, almost, and you have to let him go. You can’t micromanage every possession because then you both end up frustrated. I think I told J.C. once that when he felt the moment and got it going, that we would all step back, myself included, and let him do his guitar solo. But then I just asked that 75 percent of the game that he play a song that we all know.”

"It felt good. Missed playing with my teammates. Missed the fans. I missed it, it was really fun playing"

– OG Anunoby on his return pic.twitter.com/9aOLRKUxNK

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 6, 2025

Will Hardy​

On the Knicks’ offensive style:
“They’re playing really fast. They’re taking advantage of transition possessions. I feel like the dribble-drive is happening more. We spent all day today talking to our team about how much pressure they’re putting on the paint, what they’re doing to generate catch-and-shoot threes. There are definitely a lot of similarities [to last year’s team] because the players ultimately dictate your style. There’s a lot of Jalen Brunson that looks familiar to me, but I feel like the spacing they’re playing with and the dribble-drive provides some different looks. I think it gives their personnel a lot of opportunities to play off of close-outs, but it’s still early in the season. I would anticipate 20 games from now you see differences from tonight’s game. The dribble-drive is probably what worries me the most.”

"We did not answer the bell. That's for sure"

– Knicks coach David Fizdale's last words to the media before he was fired

Knicks had just lost their 8th straight. By 37

The game before: 44

Record 4-18
Worst in team history

On this day 6 years agopic.twitter.com/lO7lcmxrTT

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 6, 2025

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...well-together-last-year-so-i-did-look-at-that

 

[New York Knicks]

Game Thread: Knicks vs. Magic, Dec. 7, 2025

The New York Knicks (15-7) host the Orlando Magic (14-9) in an NBA matinee! The Dynamic Disneys have had the Knicks’ number twice this season, but the odds may be in our favor. New York is becoming a juggernaut on offense, and the road team’s gotta get up to play at noon. Who among you are still in your jammies? One unexpected wrinkle is that Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) will not suit up. Let’s hope Mitchell Robinson ate his Wheaties.

Tip off is 12pm EST on MSG Network. This is your game thread. This is Pinstriped Post. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Mind your manners. And go Knicks!

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-game-threads/76165/game-thread-knicks-vs-magic-dec-7-2025

 

[New York Knicks]

How good are the Knicks & how great is Mitchell Robinson?

Two thoughts on the National Basketball Association club known as the New York Knickerbockers, Esq.

These Knicks are good! What that means is unclear.

If somebody were to ask “What’s special about the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors?”, what would you say?

Nine players have suited up for all three teams, though unless you gave birth to any of Butch Beard, Chucky Brown, Bimbo Coles, Larry Robinson, Jimmy Jackson, Damian Jones, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Joe Smith or Bobby Sura, that pro’ly doesn’t seem special. Each franchise has had multiple identities: the Warriors started out in Philadelphia, became the San Francisco Warriors, then were Golden State before getting the song wrong and leaving their heart in Oakland for San Fran 2.0.

The Association’s first-ever Hawks were of the Waterloo, Iowa variety, though only for the 1949-50 campaign. Those Hawks were the league’s second-worst squad, ahead of another one-and-done franchise, the Denver Nuggets (somehow historically unaffiliated with today’s strain). Today’s Hawks trace their ancestry to both Milwaukee and St. Louis, before those forefathers and foremothers forged a new haunting grounds in the ATL.

LeBron James failed to make the All-Star team his rookie year in Cleveland. Know who didn’t? John Johnson. John Howard Getty Johnson, to be precise. Johnson was the franchise’s first-ever draft pick in 1971 and an All-Star his first two seasons. 25 years prior, the Cleveland Rebels were a founding member of the BAA. In their lone year of existence, the Ed Sadowski-led Rebs fell in the opening round of the playoffs to the Stan Stutz-led Knickerbockers.

But the past isn’t what ties these three clubs together. The here and now does.

I’m writing this Sunday morning, a couple hours before the Knick/Magic tilt, with the Cavs and Hawks both 14-11 and the Warriors 12-12. Nothing remarkable in those marks, though all three probably hoped to be winning more. No, what stands out is those are the only three teams out of 30 not on pace to win or lose 50-plus games.

27 outta 30 teams tracking to earn an A or an F for the semester seems strange, right? I looked at the last 10 years to track how many teams won or lost at a 48-win pace (there are two COVID years in this sample), by conference. The first number is how many were on a 48-win pace; the second, 48 losses:

2016-17: 9 teams (4 East, 5 West); 10 teams (4 East, 6 West)
2017-18: 11 (5 E, 6 W); 9 (5 E, 4 W)
2018-19: 13 (5 E, 8 W); 9 (5 E, 4 W)
2019-20: 11 (5 E, 6 W); 10 (7 E, 3 W)
2020-21: 7 (3 E, 4 W); 7 (4 E, 3 W)
2021-22: 11 (5 E, 6 W); 9 (3 E, 6 W)
2022-23: 7 (4 E, 3 W); 6 (3 E, 3 W)
2023-24: 10 (4 E, 6 W); 9 (5 E, 4 W)
2024-25: 13 (5 E, 8 W); 8 (5 E, 3 W)
2025-26 so far: 14 (7 E, 7 W); 13 (6 E, 7 W)

(The most striking difference is how many more teams are just awful in this alleged post-tanking world. Typically this is where I’d elaborate on the gross juxtaposition of the “load management” witch hunts being led by the same cadre of gluttons that are literally codifying their right to try less and disappoint fans more, all while raking in more and more $$$ via the CBA. Like, literally: “Hey, players! Rest less. Meanwhile, we’ll spend less, all the while charging our customers more.” But this a basketball piece.)

Early days still, yes, yet 90% of the league is at either a 50-win or 50-loss pace. Only the Cavs, Hawks and Warriors ain’t. Is the same ever-growing blob of data-driven front office groupthink that hollowed the midrange out of teams’ offenses also hollowing out the competitive middle class? Capitalism 101: nothing exceeds like excess.

The Knicks are on pace to win 56 games, which would be their most since 1997. They’re doing pretty nicely across the board, mostly. 12-1 at MSG. 4-1 against the division. 11-6 outside the division, although that starts to get weird once you realize that plus them being 4-0 against the West means they’re just 7-6 against the non-Atlantic East. Only they, Oklahoma City and Houston rank in the top-5 in points per game scored and allowed — mind you, Mike Brown’s Blue & Orange Crew are doing all this with a brand new coach and a rotation that runs 25-40% longer. They’re four up in the loss column on Cleveland, the team considered their biggest threat in the conference. Das ist gut, ja?

Historically, if the current trends hold — admittedly the opposite of “historically” — we’d be witnessing a drastically top-heavy concentration of Ws. In the 30-team era, the Knicks have won 50-plus games 10 times; each of those seasons, between seven and 10 teams won as many. I know as little about statistics as Rick Carlisle does about losing with grace, but these numbers could mean 2025-26 turns out to be something exceptional. Kinda like the 2025-26 Knicks. I hope.

The G.O.A.T. is a Knick. Correction: a G.O.A.T. is a Knick.

All due respect to Trooper Washington, Goose Ligon and Bob Netolicky, but any effort to define the greatest offensive rebounder in NBA history will not include them, despite — in fact, directly due to — the bulk of their years doing yeomen’s works on the ABA’s glass. Didn’t know this until diving into the numbers: the Knicks have an extensive history with this lot. Check out how many top-5o all-time NBA OREB-ers passed through 33rd and 8th:

47) Marcus Camby
41) Patrick Ewing
27) Terry Cummings
26) DeAndre Jordan
23) Zach Randolph
15) Tyson Chandler
13) Dikembe Mutombo
10) Charles Oakley
3) Buck Williams

Yet no Knick ever approached what Mitchell Robinson is doing this year on his own glass. At 9.2 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes, he’s hauling in mates’ misses at a rate never before seen. That’s not an exaggeration. And not just Knick history.

Moses Malone is usually the first name you’ll hear mentioned as the OREB G.O.A.T. Cross-era comparisons are a waste for a hoary host of reasons, and Moses versus Mitch lays out one of the biggest: minutes-wise, 1986 and 2026 aren’t apples to oranges; they’re apples to silicon. As a rookie for the ABA’s Utah Stars in 1975, Malone led that league in offensive boards. Two years later he was in the NBA, where he led that league in the same stat his first eight years. He’s tops all-time in total offensive rebounds. Mitch could never . . . but only ‘cuz he can’t. Lemme explain.

Moses averaged 39 minutes a game as a teenager. Mitchell averaged half as many his rookie year. In Malone’s next nine seasons, he played between 36 and 42 minutes a night, twice leading the league. At 36, he still played 31 minutes a night. So while he had three seasons of 7-plus offensive rebounds per game, something Mitch has never done, his per 36 stats obviously come up short. Same with Dennis Rodman. Today, Steven Adams is usually cited as a best-in-class offensive rebounder. He’s gobbling a career-best eight per 36 this season — 15% fewer than Robinson.

Mitch has never averaged more than 27.5 minutes a game, dropping to a career-low 17 last year and this; if the Knicks used to keep him in bubble-wrap, he’s now in cryogenic stasis. That may or may not optimize the odds of him being healthy and ready to roll through a whole postseason, and that matters. A lot. If his career regular-season ratings don’t make it clear, ask the 2023 Cavs or 2025 Celtics how much of a difference Robinson can make in a playoff series. Ask the 76ers how come 2024 Joel Embiid assaulted Mitch.

Mariano Rivera isn’t the greatest pitcher in baseball history. But he’s rightfully baseball’s first and only unanimous Hall of Fame inductee (pre-Ohtani) because gun to your head, you need one guy to get an out? Or three? Or six? Pick Mo and live.

Over his career, Rivera faced a little more than 300 hitters per season. Pedro Martinez saw nearly 900. At 20, Dwight Gooden faced more than 1000 (and made them all look silly). Steve Carlton averaged more than that, one year leading the bigs at 1,351. In his first three full years as a Cleveland Spider, Cy Young faced nearly 2,000 batters each season. So you see: not only is comparison the thief of joy, but a specious thief at that.

G.O.A.T.s can’t be game-planned around. When Darrelle Revis and Deion Sanders were Revis Island and Prime Time, teams avoided their half of the field. Shaquille O’Neal is the only NBAer I ever saw for whom there was literally no defender, no defense. Hopefully he missed his free throws. That was it.

Here’s a doozy of a peach for ya: Robinson’s 12 offensive rebounds per 48 minutes is more than 19 whole-ass teams! The Thunder average the second-fewest offensive boards in the Association. I think the Knicks can surprise people and upset OKC in the Finals. As big a reason as any is the biggest Knick I’ve ever seen live. I was in the nosebleeds as a kid when I saw Ewing and Mark Eaton and Rik Smits, so maybe the distance shrunk them. But even with the last game I attended featuring 7-foot-4 Boban Marjanović, Mitch looked bigger. Way bigger. When Mitch gets in a cab, his shoulders gotta wait for the next one.

Outside of J.R. Smith and opponent shoelaces, I’m not sure how often the Knicks have ever had a player who was (in)arguably the G.O.A.T. at anything in my lifetime. Ewing used to be in the “greatest shooting 7-footer” conversations, though our spiritually lacking 21st-century spiral doesn’t love itself enough to project him into the chat. #33’s shot was so consistently wet water diviners were drawn to it. Carmelo Anthony is up there as far as scoring sharks, a.k.a. nature intelligently designed this organism to get buckets.

But as far as the big-4 skills — best scorer alive, best shooter, best passer, best defender? Dunno that they’ve ever had one of those. Best offensive rebounder ever? Check. And still with enough energy left over to hustle and hype his TikTok mid-game.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...are-the-knicks-how-great-is-mitchell-robinson

 

[New York Knicks]

The Jordan Clarkson experience

Microwave. Bucket-getter. Flamethrower. These are all words that have been used to describe Jordan Clarkson. Inconsistent. Ball-stopper. Erratic. Turnstile. These are also all words that have been used to describe the shooting guard. And there’s a lot of truth to all of them. Through Clarkson’s 12 seasons in the NBA, the former Missouri Tiger has earned the reputation of a talented scorer. He’s averaged more than 15PPG eight times in his career, won a Sixth Man of the Year award, which is often an award reserved for some of the best microwaves and flamethrowers in the game, and has played an important role on several playoff teams. All in all, Clarkson has had what many would call a long and relatively successful career.

But Clarkson follows a slowly dying, but proud lineage of explosive bench scorers that was once incredibly sought-after. Jamal Crawford, Lou Williams, and former Knick, J.R. Smith, all of whom have won the Sixth Man of the Year Award at least once, were hot commodities around the league because of their propensity to put the ball in the basket. Yet there’s a reason this breed of sixth men is a dying one.

While the best bench players in the league are still expected to score and do so often, they are now also expected to be more efficient than ever. Before 2020, when Montrezl Harrell won the award with an absurd 58% field goal percentage, the Sixth Man of the Year winner shot below 43.6% from the field in seven straight years. And during that period, fans, front offices, and players may have convinced themselves that inefficiency, bad shot selection, and a lack of playmaking were ok, shoot, even good, if they scored enough.

Clarkson, as we’ve now seen through 23 games, still seems to subscribe to that approach. We’ve seen Clarkson look good at times, scoring 24 crucial points in a much-needed win against Miami on November 14th, and scoring 15 or more points on four other occasions. But we’ve also seen him struggle mightily, shooting under 40% on nine separate occasions this year, including his last six straight games. And it’s made Knicks fans question if he, or any other player of his archetype, is truly necessary, or worth it.

The 33-year-old is just a couple of weeks removed from finishing up a 12-game stretch in which he averaged 12.3PPG, while shooting 54.4% from the field. And if the last couple of seasons have taught us anything, it’s that the Knicks need a ballhandler who can create for himself. But as is often the case with these all-or-nothing explosions waiting to happen, Clarkson is prone to cold spells. And when a player like Clarkson- one who doesn’t create for others, and isn’t a consistent enough defender- struggles to score, there’s just very little he can provide for his team.

It’s unreasonable to think that a veteran like Clarkson, who knows the ups and downs of a long season, can’t find his way back into rhythm. There will very likely be more games, and hopefully even stretches, where Clarkson reminds the Knicks and their fans why he was brought in. But the last six games have shown us why he was waived, and why New York didn’t have much competition for him and his services. Clarkson, now no longer young and spry, is an inconsistent, if not bad, defender, and his consistency with his shooting isn’t much better. He can explode for 20+ points on any given night, but he isn’t a great player off the ball, and he doesn’t create for others. And a lot of that were things we already knew.

Fans were well aware that Clarkson wasn’t going to shoot efficiently every night. They understood that they were getting a subpar defender. And they knew that the playmaking was going to be iffy at best. But even with that knowledge, the bad has looked really bad. It’s not just that the results are bad, but during Sunday’s win against the Magic, Clarkson, maybe for the first time this season, looked dejected, lost, and hesitant.

Jordan Clarkson im out bro pic.twitter.com/g2uSekkJBA

— RM (@moreira_nyk) December 7, 2025

Jordan Clarkson’s time has run out & we need a trade partner immediately. Knicks gotta do better with these signings https://t.co/QQBPGMOh0n

— Jimbobleu (@JimboBleu) December 7, 2025

Jordan Clarkson is a hilarious player

— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) December 7, 2025

if the Knicks choke, Jordan Clarkson is the sole reason. Worst game I've ever seen by any player ever

— Caleb Smith (@Smittycaleb19) December 7, 2025

Yoo @NBA you might wanna investigate Jordan Clarkson.

— Tio (@100Fuegos_) December 7, 2025

The Knicks are currently winning, so the Clarkson talks have stayed somewhat quiet. But even then, fans have already started to become fed up with his ways. Now, imagine if New York finds itself in the midst of a tough stretch, or a losing streak, and Clarkson can’t turn it around. Those criticisms will only continue to get louder and louder.

So, for Clarkson, the Knicks, and the fans’ sake, let’s all hope that he turns it around. He will never turn into a consistently efficient scorer who gets others involved and plays good defense. But if he can get back to what he was doing for much of November, and the Knicks continue to win, fans will get out of his way and let him do what he does best.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-analysis/76233/the-jordan-clarkson-experience

 

[New York Knicks]

A midseason trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo would be difficult for the Knicks

The last few months of the Giannis Antetokounmpo saga in Milwaukee have played out like a girl picking a flower, wondering whether her crush loves her or not.

It’s been the worst-kept secret in the NBA. One of the best players in basketball has been the victim of poor roster construction around him for the past four seasons. Since winning the NBA Finals in 2021, the Bucks have perennially flamed out in the first round, and with Antetokounmpo’s athletic prime not lasting forever, the overtly loyal superstar has allowed his eyes to wander.

It was speculated all offseason that Antetokounmpo would finally demand a trade and leave Milwaukee, but after weeks of speculation while the Greek Freak was back home, the two sides appeared to be ready to go into 2025-26 in lockstep.

The sunshine and rainbows that the NBA world was sold weren’t quite accurate. It was revealed on October 7 that Giannis was, in fact, not happy. He was irked by the team’s ruthless waive-and-stretch of future Hall of Famer Damian Lillard and wasn’t sold on their future. In discussions to potentially explore a trade, Giannis pointed in the direction of the city that never sleeps. The Knicks and Bucks discussed a trade in August, but partially due to the Knicks’ extending Mikal Bridges and their draft pick deficit, it never materialized.

Of course, these rumors were denied relentlessly by Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, trying to avoid a distraction in a franchise-altering season. They got off to a strong start, buoyed by the emergence of Ryan Rollins and a motivated Giannis, who loudly proclaimed during a big win against the Knicks: “This is my city.”

Giannis block. Giannis dunk.

“THIS IS MY CITY.”pic.twitter.com/mPm7eGxxAk

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) October 29, 2025

They started 4-1 and were 8-5 by November 14. But when Giannis went down with an ankle sprain, the supporting cast collapsed without him. With him now out with a minor calf strain, the Bucks have lost 10 of their last 12 games. The rumors re-ignited to start December, with Shams Charania making it sound like a formal trade request could be more inevitable than it may have seemed:

Just in: Giannis Antetokounmpo and his agent Alex Saratsis have started conversations with the Milwaukee Bucks about the two-time NBA MVP's future – and discussing whether his best fit is staying or elsewhere, sources tell ESPN. A resolution is expected in the coming weeks. pic.twitter.com/NfrpL2Ffvr

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 3, 2025

Of course, this reignited talks about his apparent desire to play in New York. While some reports say that, without a no-trade clause, Antetokounmpo wouldn’t be able to control where he wants to go, others suggest that it’s possible that, by using his contract leverage (player option in 2027-28), the Greek Freak could force his way to the Knicks.

Fischer: "There's strong belief leaguewide Giannis desires 1 destination above all the rest if he actually fully asks out someday: New York…I've even heard that the rowdy fanbase outside MSG after playoff Ws…resonate, given his fondness for…basketball & soccer clubs in Europe" pic.twitter.com/wEbdOPFqSA

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 7, 2025

There’s been some backtracking in the days since, with Giannis (speaking through Chris Haynes) publicly remaining bought into the Bucks’ vision and Brian Windhorst saying there’s been no formal trade request, but the writing is on the wall. He just turned 31, and the Bucks are directionless.

But can the Knicks actually get the white whale of all white whales? Despite their pick deficit, their lack of appealing assets, and their seemingly empty cupboards? Well, it depends on Giannis himself and how much the Bucks respect the best player to ever wear their colors.

If Giannis wants to be traded, he will be traded. It would be an unbridled disaster to let him walk for nothing in the 2027 offseason, even if he’ll be 32, pushing 33, when that happens. If he has no intentions of retiring in Milwaukee, it would be gross negligence by general manager Jon Horst to not recoup value. You know how stupid the Angels and Arte Moreno look for holding onto Shohei Ohtani and letting him waltz to Tinseltown in free agency?

But without a no-trade clause, the Bucks don’t have to trade Antetokounmpo wherever he wants. I’m sure he could try to politick his way wherever, but I don’t think he’d despise a trade to the Lakers, the Rockets, or the Spurs, playing alongside superstars like Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, and Victor Wembanyama. Those teams, especially the latter two, could cobble together a package that easily dwarfs any Knicks offer.

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The only way this is possible is if Giannis goes scorched earth. It does not seem like him at all, but if Antetokounmpo tells the Bucks that he will only go to the Knicks and threatens not to extend with any other franchise, it would open a pathway for the two teams to make a trade. It might not even be that dire, considering the Bucks and Knicks talked in August.

If Antetokounmpo requests a trade and the Bucks are openly shopping him before the trade deadline in just under three months, however, the Knicks will not be among those seriously bidding for his services.

Not that there’s no interest, of course. It’s just not logistically possible, barring something strange. Not only would a midseason blockbuster drop a nuclear bomb on a locker room that seems to be growing more cohesive by the day, the pieces just don’t add up.

Bridges is not eligible to be traded until February 1. While this allows the two-way wing to be traded before the deadline, it creates a narrow window that hinders potential trade negotiations over the next three months. The biggest pitfall, however, lies in the draft pick situation.

Now, the Bucks won’t be solely prioritizing draft compensation in the event they move off Antetokounmpo, barring a very specific destination. They do not have control over any of their first-round draft picks until 2031, as the trades for Lillard and Jrue Holiday are coming home to roost. They’ll need to at least stay competent to avoid bottoming out and giving a high draft pick to another team.

That said, they’ll definitely want some draft compensation, and the Knicks do not have a tradable unprotected first-round pick. That, however, can change come June. Once the 2026 NBA Draft passes, the Knicks will be able to trade the rights to whoever they select. They will also have their 2033 first-round pick unlocked, but trading it would hard cap the team at the second apron and likely cost the team Mitchell Robinson in free agency (if he isn’t traded prior).

All of this is to say that, regardless of what scenarios are posted online, there’s no realistic possibility of getting this done this season. After all, the Knicks probably want to see what this version of the roster under Mike Brown looks like in the playoffs before considering a seismic trade. If this trade is to ever be completed, it would, almost certainly, involve a third team as well.

In summary, we’ll reconvene in June.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...e-mikal-bridges-karl-anthony-towns-og-anunoby

 

[New York Knicks]

NBA Cup Quaterfinal Preview: Knicks at Raptors, Dec. 9, 2025

There are only two games on the NBA schedule tonight, and both are Emirates Cup Quarterfinal contests. First up, the Miami Heat will square up with the Magicians in Orlando. Then the New York Knicks (16-7) will head north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors (15-10) and a couple of old friends. Both games will be streamed on Amazon Prime. I hear you groaning in the back.

New York has already eliminated Giannis and the defending Cup champion Milwaukee Bucks. A win tonight sends the winner to Las Vegas for the semifinals; a loss will end their Cup run and bring about a divine punishment of pestilence in their home country. No pressure.

The Raptors were rolling until RJ Barrett injured his knee eight games ago. They’ve lost five of their last six outings and the surprise upstarts of the East look decidedly less so. Also not in their favor: Toronto hasn’t fared well against the Knicks, who have beaten them nine straight times. Extending that streak in this knockout round would further solidify New York’s reputation as a top team in the conference. Make it 10, fellas.

Already the Knicks lead the season series 1-0, after beating the Dinos nine days ago, 116-94. New York exploded out of the gates with a 41–22 first quarter, then maintained a comfy double-digit advantage the rest of the way, partly by hammering Toronto on the glass, 66–49.

Tonight, New York will be thin in the backcourt and off the bench, with Miles McBride sidelined by a sprained left ankle and Landry Shamet out indefinitely; and they’re potentially thin in the front court, too, with Karl-Anthony Towns listed as a game-time-decision due to a calf strain. This would be a (Amazon) prime time for Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, and Guerschon Yabusele to step up on the second unit, and for Ariel Hukporti to capitalize on the positive momentum of his last game.

For the foreigners, Barrett, Jamison Battle (ankle), and Jamal Shead (quad) are all GTDs. It sure seems likely that Barrett (and Towns, for that matter) will want to at least try to play, given the moolah each team stands to make in Cup play.

Toronto distributes the ball well and is fourth in the league for assists per game, led by our old pal, Immanuel Quickley. He’s making 6.2 dimes, 16.5 points, and a cool $32.5 mil this season, while shooting 47% FG and 38% 3PT. Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes remain the top point-getters, averaging 21.2 and 20 respectively. And Jakob Poeltl rounds out the starting line-up at center.

Prediction​

Ah-mur-i-cah! ESPN.com likes the Knicks to win at 60%. We like that, too. Toronto doesn’t take a lot of three-pointers, and they tried only 37 (making 30%) when these teams last clashed. If Barrett returns, bringing back his 19 points, five boards and four dimes per game, this Canadian Club is a much more dangerous opponent. They’ll be even harder to handle if KAT’s calf isn’t up to the challenge.

By tip off, we expect the GTDs to suit up and, thus, make it a more competitive affair than that butt-whooping on November 30. The Knicks shoot the three-ball great at home (39%) but not so much on the road (35%). If the shooting is cold to start, this could become a slugfest defined by the rebounding numbers. Either way, New York is the better team, even without Towns. They’ll prove it with a 118-110 win.

Game Details​

Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: 8:30 PM ET
Place: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Canada
TV: Amazon Prime Video
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...terfinal-preview-knicks-at-raptors-dec-9-2025

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks 117, Raptors 101: Torching Toronto to advance to Vegas

Tonight, the New York Knicks (17-7) appeared at Scotiabank Arena to face the Toronto Raptors (15-11) for the knockout round of the NBA Cup tourney. Both teams stumbled early, and although the visitors shot efficiently through the first quarter (a season-high 20 points for Jalen Brunson), six turnovers allowed Toronto to take a 39–35 lead into the second. From there, the Knicks locked in defensively and won the next frame by 21 points for a 69-52 halftime lead. After the break, the hits kept coming, with the lead reaching 24 before Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead managed to snip a little off the top. Up 94-79 heading into the fourth, the Knicks coasted to the end, handing Toronto their fourth straight loss, 117-101.

We were disappointed to not see OAKAAKUYOAKs Immanuel Quickley (illness) and RJ Barrett (knee). Then again, the Dinos are kind of an empty shell without them. Against a subpar squad, all Knicks starters scored in double-digits. Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 35 points on a stellar shooting night (13-of-19 FG, 6-of-9 3PT), four assists, and a block in 35 minutes. Following his Roommate’s lead, Josh Hart continues to play the finest basketball of his career, with 21 points, six boards, four assists, and two blocks, while shooting 8-of-11 FG, 4-of-7 from deep.

Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby scored 15, 14, and 13, respectively. KAT added 16 rebounds. That trio might have shot a wobbly 5-of-16 from deep, but they also combined for five steals, five blocks, and 27 rebounds. Whatchu complaining about?!

Toronto shot under 30% from the perimeter when these teams clashed last week; this time, they made 29%. Brandon Ingram scored 31, and sophomore Jamal Shead played well (offensively, at least), scoring 18 points and eight assists. Scottie Barnes was a bust, though, scoring 13 points on 6-of-18 from the field, 1-of-6 from deep, and logging a team-low -20.

The Orlando Magic beat the Heat in the first game on tonight’s slate, setting up a showdown with the Knicks in Las Vegas on Saturday.

First Half​

Are NBA Cup nerves a thing? Maybe so. Toronto’s Ingram committed a backcourt violation to open gameplay, and then New York coughed up the rock thrice in three minutes. Both seemed to portend a slopfest.

Mike Brown started with Brunson, Bridges, Hart, Anunoby, and Towns. The latter is dealing with a calf issue, and perhaps that’s to blame for a sorry start that included a turnover and two offensive fouls in five minutes. KAT’s infractions triggered a Mitchell Robinson substitution before the seven-minute mark. Coincidentally, the Raps were on a 7-0 run to go ahead 15-11. Brown needed a timeout, after which he replaced Anunoby with Clarkson, who promptly bricked two free throws.

After Brunson hit a trey, Ingram—whose release point is about 10 feet in the air—easily buried a longball over Jalen’s reach at the other end. We don’t love him for his defense, though. His scoring Cap was scorching the court, burning the nets, and he racked up 20 points in his 12 minutes. That was the most he’d scored in a first quarter this season.

The Knicks shot better than the Raptors (65% to 58%), but six turnovers and a few missed rebounds let the home team take six more shots and a 39-35 lead.

As usual, Kolek subbed for Brunson to start the second, and once again the youngster performed admirably while the captain rested (a field goal, a steal, and a +10 in his five minutes). Meanwhile, Towns shaped up, punishing the opposing frontcourt with relentless rebounds and slammin’ jams, and OG Anunoby had a monster quarter, too, with two steals, two blocks, and a dunk.

Here’s KAT:

And here’s OG:

Long story short: New York played tighter defense and kept shooting well, and Toronto did neither. Watching his team fall behind by 11 points, Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic resorted to the Hack-a-Mitch strategy in the deep end of the quarter. Robinson made 1-of-4 before the Knicks intentionally fouled to bring KAT back in. After that, in the final three minutes of the quarter, the difference reached 18 points. At the quarter’s close, New York had outscored the Maple Leafs 34-13 and took a 69-52 lead into halftime.

Through one half, the Knicks had shot 61% from the field, won the glass 28-17, and punished Toronto 32–22 in the paint. The home team couldn’t convert from deep (5-of-19, 26%), and New York’s defense (seven steals, four blocks) had Las Vegas written all over it. Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 26 on 10-of-12 shooting, while Brandon Ingram had tallied 19 points on 6-of-10.

Second Half​

Josh Hart swished two three-pointers, made a layup, and added a free-throw, scoring nine of the Knicks’ 12 points to start the third frame. Barely breaking a sweat, the Knicks’ lead inched up to 24 just past the 10-minute mark. From there, Ingram hit a couple, and Jamal Shead hit a triple while New York missed a few and gave the ball away. The Raptors were clawing their way back. When Barnes grabbed a rebound, made a jumper, and picked Brunson’s pocket, his team had knocked four points off an 18-point deficit.

Over the next four minutes, to close out the quarter, Shead tried to win his team into a comeback, but Jordan Clarkson dropped eight points, and New York still sat pretty, 94-79, rolling into the fourth frame.

You like ball movement? We like ball movement!

Entering the game, the Knicks were undefeated this season when taking a lead into the fourth quarter. So they shall remain. Rajakovic’s club played full-court defense for a while in the fourth, and it allowed them to chip at the lead. But while they harassed Brunson, that just meant more opportunities for Bridges.

At the four-minute mark, our heroes were ahead by 15. Bridges missed on a 23-footer, but Clarkson grabbed an offensive rebound, Bridges made good with a second chance, and an 18-point advantage with three minutes left against an ineffective Raptors club seemed preeetty secure. And so it was. Both sides emptied their benches; Kevin McCullar, Jr. made the most of his minute of play, sinking a triple; and the Knicks punched their ticket to Vegas for the first appearance in a Cup semifinal game.

Up Next​

On to Vegas. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

In honor of the NBA Cup Quarterfinals, let’s remember the man who got us here.

Landry Shamet pic.twitter.com/wNHmXwwXTE https://t.co/hucAYBgD4f

— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) December 9, 2025

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...tors-101-torching-toronto-to-advance-to-vegas

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Media Roundup: Katz on NY’s rebounding and Stein with Giannis gossip

The New York Knicks have reinvented themselves as a possession-winning machine, with a winning record and stats to back it up. What was once a middle-of-the-pack rebounding team is now one of the league’s elite. Fred Katz explains why in his latest Athletic article. Also below, an NBA insider gives an update on the Giannis situation. Plus a funny tweet. All for you! Read on, Donkey Kong.

The Knicks be Boundin’!​

The Knicks have earned a reputation as a tough, rebound-driven team this season.

Comparing this campaign (so far) to last year’s, the New York Knicks are averaging almost four more rebounds per game and three more offensive boards. Ranking-wise, that rockets them from 24th to fourth for rebounds per game, and 17th to third for offensive boards.

The personnel remain essentially the same, but the coach is different. The strategy is different.

For an explanation of what’s working, why, and where Mike Brown’s philosophy of offensive rebounding derives from, check out Fred Katz’s latest article at The Athletic.

According to Katz, when Brown coached the Nigerian national men’s basketball team, they were getting clobbered on the glass. He sought advice from New Zealand’s coach, whose team, despite similar roster limitations, excelled by aggressively crashing the offensive boards.

Traditional NBA wisdom had downplayed offensive rebounding to protect transition defense. But Paul Henare’s Kiwi squads defied that logic by sending all five players to the offensive boards. Surprisingly, they did so without sacrificing transition defense.

Henare taught a tag up technique, which involves pinning defenders from behind to prevent leak-outs. This also increases long rebounds because it locks defenders in place against three–point–era bounce-outs.

Brown adopted tagging-up principles for Nigeria, then Sacramento, and now the Knicks. As a result, New York leads the NBA in net chances—Fred’s term—creating 4.6 more scoring opportunities per game than opponents. Katz claims that analytics now show minimal downside in transition defense when crashing three or more players.

Because of this possession edge, offensive rebounding is experiencing a league-wide resurgence. Multiple NBA coaches, including Mazzulla, Udoka, Atkinson, and Rajaković, are now tagging up acolytes. Atkinson’s Cavaliers emphasize winning the possession game and prepare for opponents’ crashing schemes in detail. Consequently, the Cavs are near the top of the league in three-player crash frequency and net chances created.

Have you noticed that the Phoenix Suns are outperforming expectations, sitting seventh in the Western Conference? It may be no coincidence that their head coach, Jordan Ott, is also down with the tag-up.

Houston is posting historically high offensive rebounding numbers. Ime Udoka is pushing the Rockets to send even more bodies, including veterans like Kevin Durant, who aren’t used to this style. When Houston does send three crashers, it wins the offensive rebound over 56% of the time.

No NBA team fully tags up with all five players, but many selectively apply the concept, especially on 3-point attempts. According to Katz, NBA teams now crash three players twice as often as they did three years ago. He claims that sixteen teams recover more than half their misses when they crash at least three players.

Read the full article here.

Latest from Stein on Giannis​

Around the league, teams remain on Giannis Watch, waiting for any signal Milwaukee might take trade calls for Antetokounmpo.

Milwaukee believed Giannis was committed through the season, especially with his brothers on the roster. The Bucks insist Giannis has never asked for a trade, but, per Marc Stein’s “The Stein Line,” the All-Star’s recent calf injury and the team’s poor record have made things murky.

Any team pursuing him will want assurance he’ll extend past 2026–27, or they may not risk their best assets. League executives believe Giannis will only stay long-term where he’s convinced he can contend for a championship.

Stein says that there is a belief that Giannis strongly prefers the Knicks if he ever does push for a move. His sources confirm Madison Square Garden and New York’s playoff atmosphere were the “temptation” Giannis referenced publicly.

“I can confirm that the Knicks—as well as playing in Madison Square Garden—were the specific ‘temptation’ that Giannis himself publicly acknowledged on Bucks Media Day as an outcome he pondered during the summer. I’ve even heard that the rowdy fanbase gatherings outside the arena following playoff victories that the Knicks are known for have resonated, given his natural fondness for the emotionally charged support so prevalent for basketball and soccer clubs throughout Europe.”

Miami is another team positioned for a potential Giannis pursuit, having saved assets by avoiding all-in bids for Lillard and Durant. The Heat refused to include Kel’el Ware and other young players in past superstar trade talks, a stubbornness that preserved their flexibility for someone like Giannis.

Miami is unexpectedly good this season and has discussed bold moves, including exploratory internal talk about Ja Morant.

According to Stein, “Miami was already shaping into a surprising buyer on this trade market even before this week’s Giannis headlines. League sources say that the Heat, for example, have had internal discussions about Memphis’ Ja Morant and how Miami’s infrastructure could benefit him.”

And Miami’s nightlife! Ja would have a ball there, for sure!

Miami also hasn’t forgotten Giannis’ prior interest in joining the Heat in 2020, and his camp reportedly evaluated the financial advantages of a max deal in tax-free Florida or Texas before he chose Milwaukee’s supermax extension. The Heat’s ability to pursue Giannis may hinge on whether they’re willing to move Ware and navigate complications around Terry Rozier’s legal situation and salary.

Lipreading of the Bane-OG Incident​

Remember the other night, when Desmond Bane dodgeballed OG Anunoby? TipperNaughtSports (@TPNaughtSports) on X killed me with this. Enjoy.

ABSOLUTELY HYSTERICAL

Desmond Bane – OG Anunoby incident with lip reading

Credit to TipperNaughtSports on instagram thats where I saw it and reposting it here. pic.twitter.com/laHUjKS2Yk

— Michael Fiddle (@FiddlesPicks) December 9, 2025

Go Knicks.

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/...-nys-rebounding-and-stein-with-giannis-gossip

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘Nope, my dad wants the next one’

Believe it or not, the Knicks decided they’re cool with gambling.

New York won’t host a game on Saturday, as it’d be Vegas instead welcoming the Knicks to the Strip as the boys try to punch their tickets for Game 83 next week.

Here’s what we heard before and after yesterday’s potentially historic victory.

we're not done dealing. on to the semis. pic.twitter.com/fGi3W4Iyb1

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 10, 2025

Mike Brown​

On Jalen Brunson’s scoring against Toronto:

“He bailed us out offensively in that first quarter. We were able to score with them or keep it close because Jalen had a big first quarter, which he, obviously, is more than capable of doing. That’s just who he is, when you talk about MVP candidate of the league.”

On early-season road struggles and slowly fixing them:

“We’re starting to figure out who we are. Early in the season, we had a lot of injuries during the preseason, so I didn’t have a good feel for this team, or as good a feel as I needed to have, and that’s part of the reason why we [have struggled] on the road.”

On the Knicks’ defensive potential:

“I know this sounds crazy, but we still have a lot of room to grow on both sides of the floor. We can be an extremely high-level defensive team.”

On the Knicks’ team-wide effort against Raptors:

“Jalen did what he was supposed to do. He bailed us out offensively in that first quarter. And so we were able to score with them and keep it close because Jalen had a big first quarter. Which obviously he’s more than capable of doing. That’s just who he is when you’re talking about an MVP candidate of the league. And then after that first quarter, everybody on our team just started to get aggressive.”

On the need for pressure:

“Life is short. My outlook, you want excitement in your life. So you try to put yourself in positions where you have pressure at times. That’s something that if you’re a competitor, you want some excitement in your life, you embrace it. One of our standards is having a competitive spirit. All of our guys, especially as you go along or advance you should embrace any type of pressure that comes along with it, because at the end of the day that’s what you do when you’re a competitor.”

On hanging a banner, no matter how big it is:

“Any time you can hang a banner you go get it, you try to go get it. We have our standards. We have our principles, we have our values, but at the end of the day — that includes fun, enjoying all of that stuff — at the end of the day it’s about winning. That’s what we all signed up to do.”

On Josh Hart’s value:

“They keep going in, and people keep leaving him open because they’re trying to put their fives on them. He can shoot a little bit, but he works really hard at it, and so it’s no surprise to us that he’s shooting it as well as he is.”

On Josh Hart’s versatility:

“I tell you what, he reminds me of Andre Iguodala from the sense that if you don’t really understand basketball, then it’s hard to really appreciate their game. Both those guys, sometimes we look at him, and you might be like, well, he’s not really this, he’s not that, he can’t do this again. It’s the opposite. It’s they can do everything. Josh can do everything. There’s just some things that he does that are elite, and some things that he does pretty good. That’s what Josh is. He does everything that you want him to do, not only offensively, but defensively, too. Guarding, one through five, and so on and so forth. Same offensively. Some of the things he does at an elite level, and some of the things he does at a pretty good level. And when you have a player with an IQ of Andre or Josh, man, good things can happen for your whole team, and it makes your job easier as a head coach.”

On Ariel Hukporti’s speed:

“I’ve been in the league a long time — and he’s one of the fastest bigs I’ve ever been around in both directions. What he has to remember is he is not going to play long stretches. So use your super power as much as you can.”

On Ariel Hukporti’s defense:

“He’s longer and more athletic than you think, and he has a nose for the ball when he goes up. Those things right there start the process for him so he can have success everywhere else. He may not be a shot-blocker like Mitch because he’s not as long, but because he has good feet, he’s got good feel. He can take a hit from someone who’s driving and not fold. He’s strong enough, sturdy enough to take that hit and go vertical, which makes him a very very good rim protector, or a paint protector. … [And] he’s done a pretty good job of screening. Those are the things he needs to base his game around. And then from there, anything else that comes to the table is gravy.”

Knicks Captain Jalen Brunson on using the NBA Cup as an opportunity to get a win for the entire organization.@jalenbrunson1 | @WaltFrazier | #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/FyVew6hPCi

— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) December 10, 2025

Jalen Brunson​

On the Knicks’ adjustments after Toronto’s strong first quarter:

“Scoring 39 in the first was easy for them. They’re a good team, but we had to crack down a little bit. We had to up the pressure, find a way to get stops and score in transition.”

On his performance vs. Toronto:

“The ball was going through the hoop.”

On the opportunity to compete for a title:

“It’s an opportunity to win something and I’m happy with the way we played and the way we fought. We knew this team was gonna bounce back, We played them last week.”

On the team’s approach to the NBA Cup:

“I think as competitors whenever you have the ability to win something you want to do that. If you are a competitor, you should want to compete every time you step on the court. So for us, it’s important to first focus on Toronto and if we can get past that, it’s something we definitely want to win. And, we’re going to go out for it.”

On the significance of staying competitive on all fronts:

“It’s not just about playing for ourselves. It’s playing for a lot of other people. The players and assistants who put in a lot of work, who come in at 7 in the morning and make sure we’re able to improve as a team. It’s a good thing.”

On going to Vegas next weekend:

“I don’t gamble. It’s probably a good thing I don’t gamble, right? Probably shouldn’t say anything about gambling.”

On the chance to hoist the NBA Cup:

“It’s an opportunity to win something.”

Q: “What do you think it does for your team to have these ultracompetitive NBA Cup games early in the season?”

KAT: “I mean it’s huge but…Let’s be real, we are the New York Knicks…teams go for their best against us…When we put these jerseys on that comes with being a Knick” pic.twitter.com/dcvMhT2BSc

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 10, 2025

Karl-Anthony Towns​

On Brunson’s 35-point night:

“When you have one of the best players in the NBA on your team and you get to see him do what he does at a high level, it’s always fun.”

On reaching the NBA Cup semifinals:

“This locker room is ecstatic. It’s an opportunity to represent our city, represent our team over in Vegas — the Cup brings out a competitive edge in all of us in this league, and we’re just happy we have a chance to go out there and compete against the best of them.”

dpOG pic.twitter.com/XUuWqcCqNH

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 10, 2025

Ariel Hukporti​

On adapting to Mike Brown’s system:

“I’m just running down the floor. He expresses it more. So yeah I feel like Mike’s doing a great job playing to our strengths and telling us our strengths.”

On embracing his defensive role:

“I feel like that’s why I’m here: to play defense. Being a defensive anchor. Being there for my teammates… just doing my job. I feel like everyone has their specific role, and I feel like I’m a fantastic player in my own role. So I’m trying to embrace it and I’m trying to bring that every day.”

Jalen Brunson: “Why you harassing me?”

Fan: “That’s a flop”

JB: “That’s a foul. Just playing by the rules”

Fan: “Don’t flop my boy. Stop flopping”

JB (points to replay on jumbotron) pic.twitter.com/zQdEVO4tWn

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 10, 2025

Mikal Bridges​

On Ariel Hukporti’s potential:

“We’ve got a lot of talent out there… sometimes [Ariel] might not get out there. But he’s definitely talented and smart enough to play, so every time he gets his opportunity, he’s gonna do really well. Definitely a big game from him tonight.”

On Hukporti’s development:

“I think just smart big, he’s just smart. He knows on offense how to set a screen and roll, and on defense, being up to the touch and dropping and boxing out, rebounding. He’s a really smart player.”

Bondy: “You guys have kind of grooved since Josh joined the starting lineup?”

Josh: “”

Jalen: ”He’s just playing well”

Josh: “”

Jalen: “”

Edwards: “What’s it like to see him shoot with confidence?”

Jalen: “He should shut up and let them keep leaving him open” pic.twitter.com/fTsMiDxmip

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 10, 2025

Josh Hart​

On Brunson’s hot hand against the Raptors:

“It’s hard not to watch when you don’t get the ball. There’s nothing else to really do but watch. Fortunately, he’s an extremely gifted scorer. I’m happy he’s on our side.”

On Ariel Hukporti’s growth:

“Understanding the game plan and having that game plan discipline is something that always take awhile but also takes some experience, so I think he’s doing that. He’s always trying to learn and figure out what he’s doing and wants you to talk to him throughout the game. So he played great today for us, and we’ve gotta continue to need him.”

“If I was mayor, whoever stole Josh‘s watches in NYC, I would make sure they walk free“

— Jalen Brunson (27 votes for mayor) pic.twitter.com/uJZcHJ9PNk

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 10, 2025

Tyler Kolek​

On his role and mindset:

“Every game that you get into is a big opportunity. Especially since it’s a Cup game. We’re trying to win. So I’m excited for the game no matter what.”

On adjusting to the NBA:

“I’m just trying to do all the little things coach has been emphasizing. Pushing the ball in transition. Being physical on defense. Getting into the ball. Stuff like that. I just think it’s attention to detail like I was saying. Guy my size, I’ve got to be exact on everything. I’ve got to be in the exact right position on defense. In the right spacing on offense. I can’t be a little bit off. There’s no margin for error there.”

On his old training routine:

“[In college, I’d] work out before practice. Spot shots after. We get out of there around 4, 5 o’clock. Back in the gym, 8:30. Every single night. I didn’t miss a night. A lot of guys say that. But I really did not miss a night. I had this anxiety or fear of if I wasn’t in the gym, I wasn’t going to do good the next game.… All that kind of stuff, you kind of mature or grow out of that. I know the work I put in the past and I know the work I continue to put in. And that’s what’s going to hold weight in any game or practice or wherever I go for the next competition. It’s not what I did the night before, that’s not going to hold me. It’s what I did two years cumulative.”

On moving to a smarter training routine:

“You definitely change. I was actually doing less on the floor. You can look back on my college career and all that and say I overworked to get to this point and that’s what I had to do. And now, I have to change that philosophy once you get here and work smarter. I was killing my body. I was never fresh. I was never feeling my best. So now coming into the summer I wanted to feel my best in order to go harder on the floor, go harder in the weight room. … Less is more sometimes.”

On where did he spend last year’s NBA Cup money:

“Last Christmas, I bought my mom a car with the money we got. We were in this round last year and we didn’t advance. So hopefully we can get it done. It would be a nice little Christmas gift.”

On who gets the next car:

“Nope, my dad wants the next one.”

"You guys knocked us out of the playoffs…"

This moment between @jalenbrunson1 & @ThisIsUD reminiscing about the last time they faced off in the postseason pic.twitter.com/5u3bnQ0qYp

— NBA (@NBA) December 10, 2025

Udonis Haslem​

On Karl-Anthony Towns’ fouling issues:

“I am going to need Karl-Anthony Towns to stop getting two early fouls. He’s too important to his team to keep getting these two early fouls. Your team needs you on the basketball court. Your presence alone makes other guys better.”

The GOAT, Red Panda, with her signature performance during halftime at ScotiaBank Arena. pic.twitter.com/tqcnm9l7QX

— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) December 10, 2025

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-news/76293/knicks-bulletin-xxx

 

[New York Knicks]

Knicks Bulletin: ‘They came out and hit us in the mouth to start the game’

Is this the longest week in Knicks history?

New York keeps resting ahead of their semifinals matchup against the Magic, with a ticket to the Cup Final on the line on Saturday.

Here’s some of the stuff we’ve heard of late.

The Knicks paid Wu-Tang Clan to woo Kevin Durant in 2019 free agency with an original song.

We unearthed the music video, with a little help from @MethodMan himself. It goes kinda crazy. pic.twitter.com/LlgNQqgKlH

— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) December 11, 2025

Mike Brown​

On the team’s two-way potential:

“With the weapons and skill sets we have offensively, we can be a phenomenal offensive team, too. So I don’t think it’ll be just one side of the ball. I think we have a chance to be a high level team on both sides, and it’ll be interesting when we get there.”

On Jalen Brunson’s first-quarter performance vs. Toronto:

“They came out and kind of hit us in the mouth to start the game. They were physical on both ends of the floor, really pressuring the ball and getting up in the passing lanes, trying to make it difficult for us offensively. We were kind of stuck in mud a little bit on that end of the floor, and Jalen did what he was supposed to do. He bailed us out offensively in that first quarter. We were able to score with them, or keep it close, because Jalen had a big first quarter, which he’s obviously more than capable of doing. That’s just who he is, when you’re talking about MVP candidate of the league.”

On Brunson’s dealing with increasing double teams:

“He was really patient with it. He played off of two feet. He made on-time, on-target passes. He was fantastic when they started sending two at him, whether it was to hit them or it was to blitz them in a pick-and-roll. I also have to give the guy that hunts in the middle of the floor and the rest of the guys that space the floor the right way, I gotta give them a lot of credit too, because they helped Jalen make his decisions easier.”

On slowly-but-surely finding their peak:

“We’re starting to figure out who we are. I’ve said this before, early in the season, we had a lot of injuries during the preseason, so I didn’t have a good feel for this team or as good a feel as I needed to have. And that’s part of the reason we struggled on the road. It’s a lot of the reason why we struggled on the road to a certain degree. Once I started getting more comfortable it helped the group get more comfortable.”

On OG Anunoby’s versatility:

“The versatility that OG gives us, it’s unbelievable. Having that size and versatility from OG defensively is huge. He can guard one through five. Then you flip it, his shooting, his ability to attack the rim, all those things, at his size, are huge for us.”

Buy a Brunson Bowl with the zesty ranch and $5 goes to Jalen Brunsons’s charity pic.twitter.com/MRn7yQYcCN

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 10, 2025

Karl-Anthony Towns​

On the team’s defensive recovery on Tuesday:

“I just thought we played much better defense than we played in the first quarter. Their fast break points in the first quarter were great. We did a great job of recovering in the second. We did a good job playing Knicks basketball, getting turnovers, playing fast, getting out on defensive rebounds and steals and capitalizing it into points.”

On watching Brunson’s performance:

“He’s just special. I’ve said it before. When you have one of the best players in the NBA on your team and you get to see him doing what he does at a high level it’s always fun. Yeah, unfortunately, I had a front-row seat to watch it, but it was cool. It was cool to watch. It was cool to watch and not having to be thinking if maybe he misses it. But he wasn’t missing it.”

Mitchell Robinson pregame in Toronto pic.twitter.com/10y9OPbPVa

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 11, 2025

Mitchell Robinson​

On the NBA Cup experience:

“It’s something that they just started two years ago. Third year, right? Yeah, I mean it’s new, so of course we want to see how it is, get the experience of it. They also got a country concert [at the Sphere in Vegas], so I can go to that — Zac Brown.”

Bring me OKC https://t.co/djFW8hfkuz

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 10, 2025

Josh Hart​

On OG Anunoby’s impact in the quarterfinals win:

“OG, he was all over the place. He really helped start that run and then we were able to get stops, play fast, get out in transition and play to our strength. Huge shoutout to him, really changed the tide of the game.”

A bucket off the bench

Last night Jordan Clarkson surpassed Manu Ginobili to become the ninth all-time scorer off the bench since 1968-69 season. pic.twitter.com/403G1O5Urm

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 10, 2025

Tyler Kolek​

On his current focus:

“I’m just trying to do all the little things coach has been emphasizing. Pushing the ball in transition. Being physical on defense. Getting into the ball. Stuff like that.”

On attention to detail:

“I just think it’s attention to detail, like I was saying. Guy my size, I got to be exact on everything. I got to be in the exact right position on defense. In the right spacing on offense. I can’t be a little bit off. There’s no margin for error there. So just try to be right in everything I do.”

On offseason strength work:

“For sure. I think every summer you hit the weight room a little bit more because you have time to focus on that area. In the season you’re still lifting, but it’s more maintenance stuff instead of building muscle. Because you have a game every day and you can’t be tearing your muscles down in a lift when you need to use them in a game. So every summer I work hard in the weight room, try to add to what I can.”

On shifting his offseason philosophy:

“You definitely change. I was actually doing less on the floor. You can look back on my college career (at George Mason and Marquette) and all that and say I overworked to get to this point and that’s what I had to do. And now I have to change that philosophy. Because once you get here, you have to work smarter. I was killing my body. I was never fresh. I was never feeling my best. So now, coming into the summer, I wanted to feel my best in order to go harder on the floor, go harder in the weight room. If you go 100 percent all the time in shorter bursts, it’s better than going 75-80 percent, but you’re doing more. Less is more sometimes.”

On overtraining in college:

“Yeah, in the offseason or preseason, we’d work out 45 minutes before practice, and we’re having a full college practice, which is much different than the NBA; we’re getting up and down for most of the practices in college. And then gameday is more walkthrough stuff. So work out before practice. Spot shots after. We get out of there around 4, 5 o’clock. Back in the gym, 8:30. Every single night. I didn’t miss a night. A lot of guys say that. But I really did not miss a night. I had this anxiety or fear of if I wasn’t in the gym, I wasn’t going to do good the next game. … All that kind of stuff, you kind of mature or grow out of that. I know the work I put in the past and I know the work I continue to put in. And that’s what’s going to hold weight in any game or practice or wherever I go for the next competition. It’s not what I did the night before, that’s not going to hold me. It’s what I did two years cumulative.”

On adjusting his role in the Knicks offense:

“It was fun [in college]. Like you said, I had the ball in my hands. I was scoring. I was making plays. It’s kind of just getting familiar with these guys (with the Knicks) and them getting familiar with me. I keep the ball in my hands an extra half-second, pull up at the baseline and guys are finding spaces, they’re finding cuts. In college, that’s what it was — I’m keeping the ball in my hands to make a play for somebody. Not necessarily getting off it early like I am now. Also, you have better players around you now. So getting off early. Move the defense around. Better defensive players as well. But [if you] move the defense around, it’ll come back to you. And you play in actions from there. College was much more random and [had] a lot more freedom. Now, I’m trying to find my role and find my way. So just trying to fit into that and keep the structure of the offense and make it look clean when I’m out there is what I’m trying to do. But like anything, once you get a little bit more rope, it’s a little bit more different.”

Ariel Hukporti 3-point attempts:

Summer League career: 0
G League career: 0
NBA career: 0

Tonight In Westchester: 4 pic.twitter.com/VIdiuSb6w1

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 11, 2025

Source: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/knicks-news/76324/knicks-bulletin-xxx