The Knicks came together as a team to rip the Grizzlies, 130-119, in Memphis on a Wednesday night — ending NY’s 3-game losing streak.
OG Anunoby (25 pts and 13 rebounds), Mikal Bridges (24 pts), and Karl-Anthony Towns (20 pts, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists) led the offense with Jose Alvarado doing an exceptional job orchestrating on a night when Jalen Brunson was out. That meant Tyler Kolek led the 2nd team — and he gave the Knicks a sorely-missed different look. Landry Shamet was also back from injury, and provided moxie that was missed.
NY used a late-1st-quarter run to take an 18-pt lead after 1 quarter and pushed the lead to 20 pts in the 2nd, and 17 at the half — before Memphis got back in the game by hitting 3’s. The Grizzlies shot 16-36 from 3 (44%) — and crept within 6 pts in the 3rd quarter — before the Knicks pushed back — regaining a double-digit lead and controlling the 4th quarter.
Ja Morant has been out with a left elbow UCL sprain, and Brandon Clarke, who has missed most of this season recovering from knee surgery and a right calf strain, was arrested in Arkansas on drug and reckless driving charges the day before. One might think the Grizzlies might entertain signing Jaden Ivey — who has been waived by the Chicago Bulls for speaking on his religious beliefs.
“It was good,” said Mikal Bridges afterwards. “We were sharing the ball, all that stuff. I think defensively we could’ve been better, still gave up a lot of points. But offensively, we were sharing the ball, moving well.”
NY improves to 49-28, and are 2.5 back of Boston, 6.5 behind Detroit, and 1.5 ahead of Cleveland with 5 games left in the season. Memphis falls to 25-51.
1. NY Takes 18-Pt Lead on KAT & 2nd Team’s Run at End of 1st
The Knicks came out with aggression in a game that Josh Hart had said the night before was a “must win” for NY after getting clobbered by Houston for their 3rd loss in a row.
Jalen Brunson was out with a minor injury, and Mitchell Robinson was out too for the back-to-back.
Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby came out firing, with Jose Alvarado leading an up-tempo Knick attack. Josh Hart added a 3 and NY jumped out to a 20-11 lead.
mikal off to a HOT start with 7 PTS already ? pic.twitter.com/88d1OkLwiW
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 2, 2026
But the young Grizzlies wouldn’t go away — Tyler Burton and Walter Clayton Jr. hit 3’s to pull them back within 24-21.
The Knicks took off when Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Landry Shamet and the 2nd team came out to join KAT, with Ariel Hukporti forming a 2-headed monster inside with KAT.
Kolek dished with precision, KAT scored inside and out, Ariel Hukporti scored inside, ripped down rebounds, and altered shots, and Shamet and Clarkson added buckets to push NY’s lead to 18 pts — 48-30 at the end of 1 quarter.
48 points in the first quarter for the Knicks! pic.twitter.com/GUCVVuGfep
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) April 2, 2026
2. Knicks Lead by 22 Pts in 2nd & by 17 at the Half, 79-62
Mohameed Diawara got consecutive buckets early in the 2nd quarter followed by a Mikal Bridges 3 off a Kolek pass as NY extended their lead to 22 pts.
NY held a 20-pt lead throughout the 2nd quarter, and led by 17 at the half.
3. Memphis 3’s Pull them to Within 3 Pts in 3rd Quarter
But Memphis steadily pushed back in the 3rd with 3 pointers and other buckets by GG Jackson, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and Javon Small.
The Knicks went into a short scoring drought midway thru the 3rd, and Memphis was right back in the game.
A bucket by Jahmai Mashack off a Walter Clayton Jr. assist pulled them within 8 at 90-82, and free throws next time down by DeJon Jarreau pulled them within 6. A 3-pointer by Adama Bal next time down made it a 90-87 game, NY with 2:48 left in the quarter.
4. Knick 2nd Team Again Pushes Back at End of 3rd
But Landry Shamet answered with a big 3, and then grabbed an offensive rebound off an OG miss the next time down and fed Jordan Clarkson for a bucket and NY was back up by 8 pts.
landry still lighting it ? pic.twitter.com/ghEEVrqC4W
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 2, 2026
Clarkson got fouled next time down and made 2 free throws and NY was back up by 10.
Memphis answered with a 3 by Cedric Coward to pull within 7 — but Tyler Kolek made a heady drive to the basket and drew a foul — making both free throws to put NY up by 9 entering the 4th — 99-90 NY.
5. Knicks Control the 4th
Mikal Bridges hit a 3 off an OG pass to start the 4th, and OG followed with an offensive rebound and tip-in off a Bridges miss, and just like that NY was up by 14 again.
Cam Spencer and GG Jackson responded with scoring for Memphis, but the Knicks looked quick and slick with Tyler Kolek orchestrating, and soon Jose Alvarado joined him in the backcourt and NY looked even quicker. They started feeding KAT inside, who scored with ease against the Memphis defense.
And meanwhile, KAT (11 assists) was feeding everyone the ball too — like OG inside for a dunk and 120-108 Knick lead with 4:30 left.
WOAH OG pic.twitter.com/78ljBJQUUE
— Knicks Fan TV ???? (@KnicksFanTv) April 2, 2026
NY maintained a double-digit lead throughout the 4th — upping it to 17 pts on an OG 3 with 2 minutes left — and came away with the easy victory.
Be the first to comment