Numbers Never Lie
The stats are outrageous, but after the Knicks latest win, the numbers can't possibly tell the whole story.
Good morning! Another home Knicks win last night, which is becoming something of a habit. We’ll see if they can keep it going tonight against Orlando, who is fully healthy outside of Moe Wagner. With Mitch having last night off, I’d expect him to suit up.
In far sadder news, Michael Ray Richardson passed away yesterday. The defensive stalwart of the late 70’s and early 80’s has been somewhat lost to time, but I’m planning on penning something in his honor at the end of the week. Also, belatedly, RIP to Lenny Wilkins, the former Knick coach and all time NBA fixture who passed away earlier in the week.
Game 10: Knicks 133, Grizzlies 120
There are several ways to tell a story, and the story of New York’s first 10 games in the 2025-26 season is no exception.
One of those ways is through numbers, which are rapidly adding up at a pace equal to that which the Knicks are putting up 3-pointers.
Here are 10 for your consideration:
30…or more assists for five straight games, which the Knicks haven’t done since 1979.
15…or more made 3-pointers in all five of those games. It is only the fourth time in NBA history a team has dished 30 or more assists and made 15 or more threes in at least five consecutive games. The Steph Curry Warriors did it twice and the Cavs did it once last season1.
55…attempts from long range against Memphis, which is a team record, surpassing the old record of 54, which the Knicks matched a little over two weeks ago against Miami.
44.1 / 38.5…as in, 44.1 threes attempted per game and a 38.5 percent hit rate from downtown. Those numbers rank 3rd and 6th in the league, respectively, making the Knicks the only team in the NBA to rank in the top six in both categories.
133…points put up last night, making this the third game in a row they’ve topped 130, a franchise first (with 129 of those points coming from behind the arc, in the paint, or behind the line. Only two Jalen Brunson middies came from anywhere else on the floor.)
40…or more points scored in seven quarters this season, the most in the NBA, after they put up 42 in the first quarter against Memphis.
9.40 / 306.1…as in, 9.40 miles run on offense per game, and 306.1 passes made per game. Both numbers rank in the top five of the NBA. The Knicks were in the bottom half of the league in both stats last season.
123.4…offensive rating once you filter out garbage time, which ranks first in the league.
17…corner 3-point attempts for the second straight game. Which finally brings us to…
14.6…percent of their shots coming from the corners, which leads the league and would be a new NBA record if it lasts the season.
Numbers may not be able to tell the whole story, but when you look at these in totality, it paints a pretty clear picture that we’re not in Kansas anymore.
