The Knicks’ long road trip will be a test of depth and resolve
The 82-game NBA regular season is a long grind with peaks and valleys. The Knicks’ path, like every team with realistic championship aspirations, will be marked by obstacles and adversity.
They began an early season test last night (Wednesday), beginning a five-game road trip by facing the Phoenix Suns. Four of the games will be out west. After the Suns, the Knicks will meet the Utah Jazz on Saturday, the Denver Nuggets on Monday, the Dallas Mavericks next Wednesday and the Charlotte Hornets the day after the Thanksgiving holiday before returning to Madison Square Garden to host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, December 1. The Knicks went into their game last night with a record of 8-6 and winners of four of their previous five games, including three straight home wins. They defeated the Brooklyn Nets last Friday (124-122) and Sunday (114-104) and demolished the Washington Wizards on Monday by 134-106. The Knicks’ starting five of guards Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, forwards OG Aunuoby and Mikal Bridges, and center Karl-Anthony Towns are arguably as formidable as any quintet in the league.
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But they also have a high usage rate and are tasked by head coach Tom Thibodeau with mitigating a bench that had the league’s lowest scoring per game output prior to playing the Suns. The Knicks’ reserves were averaging just 20.4 points, last among all 30 teams. A lot of it is a consequence of injuries. Center Mitchell Robinson has been out all season after undergoing surgery on his left ankle in May.
Forward Precious Achiuwa has yet to make his regular season debut after straining his left hamstring on October 18 in a preseason matchup versus the Wizards. And guard Miles “Deuce” McBride was sidelined for all three of the Knicks’ games against the Nets and Wizards due to an illness. The Knicks are hopeful Achiuwa’s return is close and he is with the team on their current road trip.
Conversely, veteran guard Cameron Payne has provided the Knicks with an infusion of scoring playing both backcourt positions. The first-year Knick, who was with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, was averaging 12 points in his previous four games, including posting 17 against the Wizards, before going up against the Suns, a franchise he played for from 2019 to 2023.
“Again, another spark plug,” said Thibodeau referring to 6”3”, 30-year-old Payne following Monday’s blowout victory. “I like the energy he brings off the bench. The pace of the game, you know, obviously he picks up (defensively) and we’re still trying to find a rhythm with (the second unit). But he likes to play fast and that energy is invaluable and that (he) can play, you know, handling the ball, (he) can play off the ball as well.”
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