The Knicks fought an aggressive Rocket team coached by Ime Udoka, and came back from a 14-point deficit in the 2nd quarter to within 1 point several times in the last few minutes of the game, but could not break through, losing 109-97 in Houston on a Monday night.
It was a physical game — in the new NBA the refs let them play — so Jalen Brunson was hammered all night every time he drove to the hoop, yet Karl-Anthony Towns got into early foul trouble, then adjusted and came on strong in the 2nd half, attacking the basket inside and “inhaling rebounds” according to Mike Breen. KAT finished with 17 points and 19 rebounds.
But it was a final tight call on the Josh Hart of the Knicks that got coach Tom Thibodeau’s ire. With 2:45 left and NY down 3, Hart grabbed a loose ball — but instead of a Knick fast break down the other way, was called for a foul. That stymied NY’s momentum and Jalen Green hit dagger 3 pointer with 58 seconds left to turn a 5-pt game into an 8-pt Houston lead and ballgame.
“I liked that we fought back; in the 3rd quarter our defense was really good,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau afterwards. “I thought the big play was Josh’s foul — it looked like a clean steal to me; I thought Josh beat him to the ball, it just didn’t go our way. There was a lot of physicality with KAT, he got I think 4 free throws. He adjusted well in 3rd quarter: he went to the offensive board pretty hard, and that got us going.”
“The whistle didn’t go our way,” continued Thibs. “You have to play through that and get past it and find a way to win in the end. You adjust to how the game is being called. It was a physical game. Initially it was pretty tight, and once we adjusted, in the 3rd quarter I liked the way we played a lot, and most of the 4th. We fell short in the end. And again, it was a Great play Josh made to get to the ball from where he did, I haven’t looked at the replay yet but I will.”
Knicks drop to 3-3. Houston goes to 4-3.
1. Houston Comes Out Aggressive
Houston is coached by Ime Udoka — who shined in Boston before being suspended for having an affair with someone in the front office. Udoka is in Houston now and they reflect his coaching style, playing a physical game with tall, athletic, defensive guards like Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson, the #4 pick in the 2023 draft.
Fred VanVleet got Houston rolling early, as they took a 31-26 lead at the end of the quarter.
N🚫PE!@KarlTowns pic.twitter.com/4ixSqrV89Q
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2024
2. Refs Let them Play
The Knicks matched the intensity and the new-look-NBA refs let them play.
Brunson was getting pummeled on drives throughout the night, and unfortunately the Knicks were without backup point guard Cameron Payne who was out with bad hammy. By the end of the game, the wear and tear on Brunson showed as he missed shots — he was 9-24 (2-4 from 3) on the night.
3. KAT Early Foul Trouble
Despite the refs letting them play, Karl-Anthony Towns picked up 3 early fouls and had to go out of the game midway through the 2nd quarter. Without Towns inside, Alperen Sengun — who had not been playing well coming into the game — started to dominate inside, and got on a roll. Houston was able to move out to a 14-point lead in the 2nd quarter.
4. Knick Bench Thin
Without Towns, the Knicks could have used Precious Achiuwa, who is still out with the bad hamstring.
Deuce McBride had a poor shooting night with an 0-9 from the floor. Houston was able to outscore the NY bench on the evening, 30-3.
“Deuce didn’t make shots but he’s a plus 10,” noted Thiboeau. “It’s what you’re doing on the floor; nights when you’re not shooting well you do other things to help the team.”
5. NY Slices 14-Pt Deficit to 5 at the Half
The Knicks were down by 14 points — 58-44 — with 3:23 left in the 2nd. And then they made a late run led by great defense, ball movement, and an offensive spurt by OG Anunoby.
the ball movement 🤝 pic.twitter.com/vPdoefeKjg
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2024
Near the end of the half, OG Anunoby hit a 3, Brunson hit a floater and a 3, and Anunoby grabbed a rebound inside and made a layup with 3 seconds left to pull NY within 5.
OG in the first half 📊
16 PTS | 5 REB | 4/4 3PM pic.twitter.com/L6C9y4X4HD
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2024
6. KAT “Inhales Rebounds” Starting in 3rd Quarter
Karl-Anthony Towns came out of the half intent to attack the basket. And he did, scoring inside, and “inhaling rebounds”.
KAT SLAM‼️@karltowns pic.twitter.com/kH3h16YP2i
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2024
Still Houston was able to re-up their lead to 11 points in the 3rd, before NY and Towns came back to within 6 at 81-75 heading into the 4th.
7. NY Pulls to Within 1 Point in 4th
The 4th quarter was nip and tuck — Sengun was dominating for Houston, scoring inside with stealthy moves. Still the Knicks fought back — pulling to within 1 point, trailing 91-90 with 5:28 left after Brunson free throws, and 93-92 with 4:38 left after a Josh Hart drive.
With 2:45 left and the Knicks down 3, Josh Hart got to the ball ahead of Sengun, but instead of the Knicks having a fast break and momentum the other way, Hart was called for a foul.
Houston didn’t score — OG Anunoby blocking Tari Eason‘s inside drive, but that stymied NY’s momentum and Jalen Green hit dagger 3 pointer with 58 seconds left to turn a 5-pt game into an 8-pt Houston lead and ballgame.
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