Weeks earlier than the beginning of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Knicks shook the NBA with a significant transfer to accumulate four-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Cities in a blockbuster commerce with the Timberwolves.
On opening night time, Cities took the ground for his first sport with the Knicks, a matchup towards the defending champion Celtics. With all eyes on the proceedings at Boston’s TD Backyard, followers acquired their first take a look at how Cities suits into New York’s plan to dethrone the champions.
In 24 minutes of motion, Cities completed with 12 factors on 5-of-9 capturing, seven rebounds and three assists. To say his debut was wasted can be an understatement because the Knicks suffered a 23-point loss.
With a number of accidents decimating the Knicks’ roster, this sport should not give a lot steerage on what to anticipate total, however it does give an thought of the kind of function Cities will play along with his new workforce. Here is what to think about his debut.
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Evaluating Karl-Anthony Cities’ debut with the Knicks
On an evening the place nothing went effectively for New York, it is exhausting to take too many positives from Cities’ efficiency.
The Knicks made some extent of getting Cities concerned early on, giving him some touches throughout his first stint on the court docket. As for his first bucket as a Knick, Cities took benefit of a mismatch in the midst of the submit, backing up Jrue Vacation to arrange a left-handed hook shot.
KAT with the left hook for his first bucket as a New York Knick!
NYK-BOS on TNT | #KiaTipOff24 pic.twitter.com/KodfQQ5OXL
-NBA (@NBA) October 22, 2024
Cities completed the primary half with 12 factors on 5-of-8 capturing and 5 rebounds, however New York confronted a 74-55 deficit.
Within the third quarter, Cities introduced down two extra boards however missed his solely shot try, and the sport continued to slide away from the Knicks. Whereas the Celtics obtain a historic 3-point capturing night timethey took a 26-point lead into the fourth.
In a sport the place Boston led by 35 factors, Cities’ night time ended after three quarters and simply 24 minutes of motion.
It is exhausting to make a lot out of a blowout of this proportion, however there’s additionally one thing to be mentioned for New York shedding like this in Cities’ first sport. To be completely clear, this loss would not even remotely weigh on Cities’ shoulders, however his presence did little to cease the bleeding.
As unusual as it’s, Cities was minus-18 throughout his time on the sector. He confirmed confidence with some heady drives to the basket and made the best learn on his three assists.
The top end result might have been ugly, however there are some positives to take from Cities’ debut. For this, he’ll get a passing grade, however nothing to be notably happy with.
Grade: C-
Karl-Anthony Cities Stats vs. Celtics
- 24 minutes
- 12 factors
- 7 rebounds
- 3 assists
- 0 turnover
- 5 objectives out of 9 (55.6%)
- 1 of two (50.0%) 3-point discipline objectives
