Opening Night Decimation

(Photo: David Butler II-Imagn Images)

The Knicks opened up the new season against the defending champions on Tuesday night in Boston. The Celtics returning most of their team, while the Knicks looking to mesh together some new players. The defending champs left off right where they ended last season, in dominant fashion, thrashing the Knicks 134-109. New York struggled from the jump and could not garner any counter for what Boston was bringing them. In disappointing fashion, the Knicks dropped their first game of the season following a promising buzz to the new team.

The big story of the game was how lethal the Boston offense can truly be, and the Knicks found out fast struggling on defense. Tying a record for threes in a game with 29, New York could not figure out how to stop the furious perimeter shooting they were facing. Boston behind the arc accounted for 87 of their 134 points, which is 65% of their point total. The starters were at the forefront accounting for 113 of the 134 points, along with shooting a high volume from three with 63% as a starting five. Very tough to defend this team as the Knicks found out, the ball movement and player movement is smooth as butter on the offensive end for Boston. The stars showed up for the Celtics as Tatum put up 37 points while only missing four shots the whole game. Though New York struggled at times on offense only going 11-30 from three, they ended the game with 55% from the field as a whole. Having no answer on defense was the big factor for the team throughout the game.

The team will certainly have to start meshing together better with their new additions of Towns and Bridges. The former Net certainly struggled with his new shooting form to start the game, looking uncomfortable on offense. Once the second half came he began to settle in, ending the game with 16 points on 54% from the field. Towns wasn't much of a factor, converting on a couple of good plays, but also looking uncomfortable in his own right. He finished the night with 12 points in his Knicks debut. Anunoby was certainly the biggest player on the team that looked discombobulated. Offensively he was a non-factor, shooting 1-7 from the field and 0-4 from behind the arc. He will be one of the biggest x-factors on the offensive side for the team this season, meaning he will have to step it up and prove why he garnered that new contract.

The few bright spots of the game were brought from Jalen Brunson and Deuce McBride. Brunson wasn't fully on top of his game, but was finding his way to the rim often in the game, finishing 9-14 from the field. Obviously the pressure can be taken off of him this season, but he will still need to shoot the ball and get himself more involved than this game. Expect him to get going very quickly to start the season. McBride was the star of the game, giving the team the only spark in the first half. Shooting the ball with confidence and efficiency, Deuce looked fantastic off of the bench for the Knicks. He is primed for a big season if this is just the start for him.

The team will certainly have more to work on, and quick. They head into Friday against a tough Indiana squad. The bench will have to see more contribution, and the starting five will have to click much better than they did against Boston. Indiana is offensive oriented as well, so adjustments will need to be made to guard the perimeter, otherwise it could get ugly quick once again. Catch them in action at Madison Square Garden in the home opener against the Pacers this Friday night.

Knicks of the Game:

Jalen Brunson

22 Pts

2 Ast

1 Reb

64 FG%

Miles McBride

22 Pts

2 Ast

4-5 3PT

80 FG%

Written by Anthony Ellis. 2024