On Friday night, the New York Knicks (6-6) pulled off a dramatic 124-122 victory over the Brooklyn Nets (5-8), narrowly surviving a 21-point second-half collapse. The highlight of the game came when Jalen Brunson hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, marking his second clutch attempt in as many games following Wednesday’s 124-123 loss to the Chicago Bulls. If today’s rematch comes down to another last-second shot, Jim Dolan should give fans vouchers for the cardiac care unit at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Brooklyn’s standout player was Cam Thomas, who lit up the scoreboard with 47 points. The Nets dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Knicks 40-24 as Thomas poured in 12 points and Cam Johnson, who was taking a nap earlier, woke up and added 10. Despite the Nets’ strong finish, they couldn’t overcome Brunson’s late-game magic. Brunson finished with 37 points, scoring 16 in the fourth quarter alone to keep the Knicks in the game.

Defensively, neither team put on a clinic. Missing their starting center Nic Claxton, the Nets were defeated 45–37, and among all players, only Knicks rookie Pacome Dadiet managed a sub-120 defensive rating. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau will be looking for more defensive tenacity when these teams face each other again. .

New York will likely be even tighter than usual with Miles McBride and Karl-Anthony Towns both nursing knee injuries today. Without KAT on Friday, the team went a step further with four starters finishing with double-digit points. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges contributed 25 and 22 points respectively, with Anunoby on pace to reach the 30 before fouling out with four minutes remaining. To beat the feisty Brooklynites a second time, New York’s top brass will have to deliver more of the same.

The Knicks’ bench provided valuable support, with Cameron Payne, Dadiet and rookie Ariel Hukporti combining for 22 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and two steals. Hukporti’s energy and blocking ability were particularly impressive; he registered four swats (the team averages three per game). Thibs relied on Hukporti down the stretch, playing him for the entire fourth quarter and 30 minutes overall, while Jericho Sims logged just 18 minutes. At least when KAT sits down again, we’ll be treated to more of that Incredible Huk enthusiasm. And hey, Thibs: if he’s healthy again, why not try a little more KAT/HUK combo? Wouldn’t that let the sharpshooting scholar Towns roam off the edge without sacrificing rebounds?

Injury report:

For the Nets: Bojan Bogdanovic, Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe are all out. Trendon Watford struggles with a hamstring injury on a daily basis.

For the Knicks: Miles McBride (knee) and Karl-Anthony Towns (also knee) are listed as questionable for the game.

Prediction

ESPN.com favors the Knicks at 66% in Sunday’s rematch. This will be New York’s third four-game homestand, and it would certainly be nice to get on the positive side of .500. Containing Cam Thomas will always be an issue, but the rest of the team is usually easy pickings. Today, New York will take an easier route to victory, building an early lead and resisting a fourth-quarter setback. ‘Bockers with +8.

Game details

Date: Sunday November 17, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City
TV: MSG Network, JA Network
Follow: @ptknicksblog