Horrid Start Costs Injury-Depleted Knicks. Golden State 110 NY 99

March 1, 2024 LouV 2023-24 0

The Golden State Warriors jumped out to a 20-4 lead, scoring the first 14 points of the game, before the Knicks started playing ball. NY fought back all night and finally got within 4 points with 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter, but didn’t have enough umph to close it out, losing 110-99 at Madison Square Garden on a Thursday night.

Jalen Brunson was questionable before game time with a sore neck but played and scored 27 points. Isaiah Hartenstein, still bothered by the sore achilles, played 20 minutes.

Jonathan Kuminga made big plays down the stretch for the Warriors, and finished with 25 points on 12-19 shooting. Stephen Curry had 31.

Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson remain out for NY, recuperating.

“We have enough guys, so we’re confident in that until everyone comes back,” said Isaiah Hartenstein afterwards. When asked about his achilles, he said “I think it’s a step slow, most of the stuff I’m doing right now”.

NY falls to 35-25. Golden State improves to 31-27.

1. Golden State Jumps out to 20-4 Lead

The Knicks came out flat and seemed to be looking over their shoulder. Miss after miss as Golden State raced out to a 14-0 lead.

Brunson missed his first 3 shots and turned the ball over twice, Josh Hart was missing jumpers, Donte DiVincenzo was missing 3’s — a complete disaster to start.

Finally DiVincenzo connected on a drive and NY was off its schneid. Then Brunson hit a deuce and by the end of the 1st quarter, the Knicks were coming back — down 31-19.

2. Knicks Spend Game 10 to 14 Points Back

And then the Knicks spent most of the game down 10 to 14 points. They trailed by 9 at the half, and then fell back by 15 points in the 3rd before pulling back to within 6 points with 2:33 left in the quarter on a Brunson 3.

But Klay Thompson countered with a 3 from the corner and NY was down 9 again.

Miles McBride had an excellent game — on offense and defense. On D he did a good job guarding Curry or Chris Paul. On offense he shot 6-8 (2-3 from 3) for 14 points.

A Jericho Sims slam pulled NY to within 8 near end of the 3rd, but a Kuminga drive put GS back up 10 entering the 4th.

3. Could’ve Used Randle

This was a game where the Knicks could’ve really used Julius Randle, and OG Anunoby for that matter.

Bogan Bogdanovic threw up a big zero — 0-7 from the floor (0-4 from 3) for 4 points (4-4 in free throws) and several turnovers.

Precious Achiuwa only took 3 shots — going 1-3 for 3 points and 8 rebounds. He played well defensively, and had 2 blocks.

Josh Hart played great D and had 18 rebounds and 7 assists — but shot 4-17 (3-9 from 3) for 14 points.

DiVincenzo played great ball but shot 6-21 (2-12 from 3) for 16 pts.

4. Could’ve Used OG

NY could’ve also used Anunoby to guard Kuminga — the 6’8 forward that Golden State ownership sees as their future. Kuminga ran amuck all night with athletic drives to the basket that Knick defenders had a hard time stopping.

Kuminga stuffed the boxscore with 25 points on 12-19 shooting (all drives — he was 0-1 from 3), with 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks and a +19.

5. NY Played HARD

NY played HARD. Donte DiVincenzo took a blast to the nose by Draymond Green in the 3rd — no foul call — and DiVincenzo got up and kept taking it to Golden State the rest of the game, bloodied nose and all.

Josh Hart played tremendous Defense on Green and Curry when he switched off to guard him. Miles McBride was in the trenches, guarding Chris Paul off the bench.

Jericho Sims was an active defender with his quick feet — often seen on the outside switching on Curry.

6. NY Within 4 Points with 6 Minutes Left

A Klay Thompson 3 and Chris Paul deuce early in the 4th put GS up 15 — but NY still kept fighting back Hard.

  • Bogey made free throws and McBride hit a 3 and a runner and NY was within 8.
  • Josh Hart hit a J and Alec Burks hit a runner and NY was within 6.
  • Jericho Sims made two free throws and NY was within 4 — 89-85 — with 6:35 left.

Kuminga Seals It

But a Draymond Green free throw put GS up 5 and then Moses Moody blocked Alec Burks’ jumper — and Kuminga went full court for a drive-and-1 that was a turning point in the game.

“Jonathan Kuminga has had big time athleticism, skillset and strength,” noted NBA Analyst Ross Kreines. “But what’s making him tougher is he’s not just relying on it as the game has slowed down for him, using fundamentals in shot fakes, jab steps, an improved jumper, plays to his strengths and taking no play for granted.”

Bogey then missed a 3, and Brandin Podziemski made a bucket inside down the other end and GS was up 9.

Another turning point — the 2 Knick scorers acquired in the trade came up empty.

But NY kept fighting back:

  • A Brunson dunk pulled NY to within 7 but Kuminga answered with a drive-and-1 for a 10-pt GS lead with 3:37 left.
  • McBride hit a 3 but Curry answered with a 3.
  • Hartenstein hit free throws, but Curry answered with another 3. Brunson answered Curry’s 3 with a 3 of his own to pull NY within 8 with 1:45 left.

But NY just ran out of time, fighting to the final seconds.

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401585480

 

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