Knicks’ resolve keeps them near top of the East
During the course of the long 82-game NBA regular season, which spans from fall to spring, every team will face injuries and resulting lineup alterations that will greatly determine their final place in the standings.
The Knicks are going through such a stage right now. Unavailability of key players compelled their head coach, Tom Thibodeau, to condense his rotation to just eight bodies on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden as the players who were able to take the floor ground out a 125-113 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Knicks are 16-3 since January 1 heading into tonight’s game at MSG versus Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks. Their only losses were at Dallas (128-124) on January 11, versus the Orlando Magic (98-94) on January 15, and against the Los Angeles Lakers (113-105) at the Garden last Saturday, the latter ending a nine-game winning streak.
The Knicks will tip off against the Mavericks with a record of 33-18, 19-6 at home, and 14-12 on the road. They are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The last week has revealed the Knicks’ quality depth, preparedness, and readiness. With Mitchell Robinson out since December having undergone surgery on his left ankle, Julius Randle sidelined after suffering a dislocated right shoulder in a 125-109 win at MSG over the Miami Heat on January 27, OG Anunoby missing the last five games with right elbow inflammation, and Quentin Grimes sitting his third straight game on Tuesday due to a right knee sprain, the remaining collective has held down the fort.
Adding to the list of ailing is point guard Jalen Brunson, who twisted his right ankle with 5:13 remaining in the win over the Grizzlies. He exited to the locker room and did not return. At the time, Brunson had 27 points and eight assists in 31 minutes. His backcourt partner Donte DiVincenzo took on the role of closer, scoring eight of the Knicks’ final 10 points and finishing with a game-high 32. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, who has been invaluable to the Knicks in the absence of Robinson, posted 17 points and eight rebounds.
Forward Precious Achiuwa, a key mainstay of the lineup since coming to the Knicks with Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors in the December 30 trade, contributed 17 points and five rebounds. Josh Hart’s effective presence continued as he scored 10 points and snagged 10 boards.
Memphis came into the game leading the NBA with 282 games lost due to injury and fell behind 26 before slicing the Knicks lead to 113-109 with 2 minutes remaining.
“In this league, no lead is safe. I don’t know how many times throughout the season so far you see 20-point lead, 25-point lead just go and flip the other way,” said DiVincenzo. “Everybody in this league wants to play and you know when your name is called, you go out there and you do your job.”
The Knicks will play the Indiana Pacers at the Garden on Saturday and then will be on the road to take on the Houston Rockets on Monday, Orlando Magic on Wednesday, and Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 22 after the All Star break.
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