Good morning. Is it the offseason yet?
Game 69: Hornets 115, Knicks 98
The Knicks grabbed a 19-15 lead to get out of an early 7-0 hole, but then they went scoreless for five minutes as Charlotte rattled off 13 straight.
After scoring just 27 points through 17 minutes, back-to-back KAT threes got them going offensively before the half, but the defense also took a dip, and New York trailed by eight at the half.
After briefly pulling to within five midway through the third, the defense fully let go of the rope, and a horrendous night by the bench kept the lead at double digits.
There was no last gasp effort by the starters, who checked out with 2:00 remaining.
On a night that made getting their asses kicked by the Cavs and Celtics seem like the good ol’ days, the 2024-25 New York Knicks reached a new low.
In effectively getting blown out by the 17-win (now 18-win) Charlotte Hornets, the Knicks reaffirmed what many have been thinking as far back as October:
While this year’s roster may be superior to last year’s team on paper, they lack the special sauce that endeared that never-say-die band of brothers into the hearts of millions of Knicks fans around the world. Instead, we’re now left wondering what exactly this team stands for, and whether they have any identity outside of being Jalen Brunson’s supporting cast.
Brunson, of course, is not currently in uniform. According to yesterday’s update, the “hope” remains to get him back at some point before the playoffs, but that doesn’t feel like a certainty. There is a chance this group will continue to have to navigate increasingly choppy waters alone, without the steady hand that has guided them through so many storms. Between that and a travel-heavy schedule at the tail end of long, mentally draining season, there are excuses to be had.
Save them. Save them all.
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