The Knicks did not miss their debut for their season premiere at Madison Suqare Garden, under the eyes of franchise legends Carmelo Anthony, John Starks, Larry Johnson and Bernard King.
After the affront experienced in Boston, New York could not have dreamed of a better start in front of its home crowd with a big victory and the two main recruits Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns (21 points each) who were the perfect counterparts to Jalen Brunson (26 points) big winner of his distance duel against Tyrese Haliburton (0 points).
In difficulty at the very start of the game, the Knicks gradually gained momentum throughout the first half. Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin initially resisted until the middle of the second quarter (34-35) before cracking on two accelerations from the locals. There was first a 12-2 concluded by 3-pointers from Cam Payne and Josh Hart (48-37) then a 9-2 with this time Karl-Anthony Towns at the start and finish of this series on a 3-pointer 4 seconds from the break to bring the score to 61-45.
Taken by surprise even though they had had a good start, the Pacers continued to take on water, going to -20 following two counter-attack baskets from OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges (69-49), then to -30 on a 13-1 powered by Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges at 3-points. Mikal Bridges sealed Indiana's fate with a dunk on the counterattack (90-60), and New York was able to avoid a fourth quarter under pressure to win 123-98.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Knicks uppercuts. Everything almost smiled on the Knicks who knew how to use all facets of their team to gradually distance themselves from the Pacers. The locals chained runs like uppercuts, with a 12-2 then a 9-2 to take off before the break, then a 13-1 that looked like a demonstration of strength completed by Mikal Bridges in great form for his first at the Garden.
– Tyrese Haliburton's Nightmare. Already in difficulty in Detroit (6/18 shooting including 1/9 at 3-points), Tyrese Haliburton experienced a second evening without, going through the meeting without finding a way to score a single basket. The leader this time returned zero points, 0/8 shooting for 0/7 from distance, and 5 assists in 26 minutes. Embarrassing.
– Karl-Anthony Towns in tone. Like Mikal Bridges, the Knicks pivot did not miss his premiere at Madison Square Garden in his new colors. He was notably one of those who put the Knicks on the right track with skill and also a dose of aggression against Myles Turner that MSG fans must have appreciated. His 21 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks are more in line with his rank after a discreet first in Boston.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
