Basketball

Knicks 99, Hornets 98: Scenes from hard-to-watch basketball on a hard-on-the-eyes court

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5 hours ago

November 29, 2024

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Knicks 99, Hornets 98: Scenes from hard-to-watch basketball on a hard-on-the-eyes court

At noon today, the New York Knicks (10-8) played a matinee game against the Charlotte Hornets (6-12) in the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. This was the fifth game of a road-trip for New York and for most of the afternoon, they played like a homesick team.

A second straight 15-point first quarter? Yep, and it gets worst: Charlotte played without three starters and five rotation players overall. In the first half, the misfiring Knicks committed a baker’s dozen of turnovers and trailed 49-46 at intermission. New York showed signs of life in the Q3, but despite the cheering of NY transplants, it wasn’t until deep in the fourth quarter that winning possible. Thanks to Brunson’s free throws—and no thanks to 21 turnovers—our heroes escaped with a 99-98 victory.

For New York, Jalen Brunson finished with 31 points and six assists. Karl-Anthony Towns had a 19-12 double-double, and Josh had a 13-12. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges scored eight apiece, and the latter was a -14 (the only starter with a negative plus-minus). From the bench, Miles “Deuce” McBride was a sparkplug with 14 points and provided much needed second-half energy. New York is now 3-0 in NBA Cup play.

For Charlotte, Brandon Miller scored 20 points, Josh Green added 15, and Tidjane Salaun contributed 14.

First Half

The Knicks stumbled early with eight turnovers that became seven Hornets points. Second-string forward Tidjane Salaun, spelling an injured Miles Bridges, scored eight first-quarter points, swishing two three-pointers to lead the home team. Fortunately for New York, Charlotte, decimated by injuries, made only nine of 22 shots. An eight-point deficit could have been significantly worse, especially with the Knicks shooting 38% (25% from deep). For the second straight game, New York managed just 15 first-quarter points. How’d you spend your Black Friday?

(Some of you want more clips from BlueSky, fewer from X. I check both and take the clips where I find ’em, folks.)

Thanks to livelier play from the second unit, specifically Cameron Payne and Miles McBride, New York mounted a 17-9 run to tie the game by mid-frame. Stops, however, were rare. Jalen Brunson returned to relieve Deuce, and the Wasps’ speedy youngsters promptly outscored New York 8-0. After a timeout, Jalen hit two triples to lead the ‘Bockers on a 10-0 run for a one-point advantage.

With one second on the clock, Josh Green hit a jumper for Charlotte, then intercepted Mikal Bridges’ careless inbound pass to sink a buzzer-beater. Halftime score: Knicks down 49-46. Are we in the Twilight Zone?

New York committed 13 first-half turnovers, costing them 19 points. Karl-Anthony Towns and Bridges combined for 26 points, while Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Bridges shot 5-of-17 for 12 points. If the “Start Deuce over Mikal” bus pulls up outside your house, will you get on? Cuz I’m driving it straight to MSG.

Second Half

Completely reformed, the Knicks played a turnover-free second half. Just kidding—they coughed up the rock twice in the first minute-and-a-half of Q3. KAT blew a layup. Chants of “Can I get a Kolek?” started in my living room.

On the bright side, Bridges shot his first free-throws in seven games (made one, missed one), bringing him to 13 FTAs on the season. Progress? Meanwhile, Charlotte neglected to capitalize on multiple Knicks bricks, and when MIkal’s three-pointer rattled home with four minutes left, the score was tied at 58. Soon after, rookie KJ Simpson violated Jalen’s landing zone, and Cap sank three free throws for a lead. Not for long. Simpson hit from deep to regain the lead by quarter’s close, 72-71.

Thanks to five points from Nick Smith, Jr. (he averages 1.4 per game), Charlotte started the final frame 10-5. Hart and Payne came to the rescue, and with a little under five minutes left, Brunson hit a jumper, Deuce scored a pick-six, and soon New York had their biggest advantage of their afternoon after a 20-8 run.

The Knicks never went up by more than six and found themselves with a two-point lead, 11 seconds left. Brunson was fouled on the next possession and made both freebies. Down by four, Josh Green hit a three as the clock expired, but Charlotte was one short. Ball game. Finally.