The bothered injury New York Knicks traveled to the Bay Area to take on the Warriors of the Golden State Monday. Already without Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle, they lost OG Anunoby again after the striker suffered an elbow injury. They should beat the hosts minus three of their best players.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau inserted Miles McBride into the starting lineup without Anunoby. He joined Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein as Thibodeau’s picks to open the game. The ultra-small starting five proved to be right as McBride dazzled with 11 points in the first quarter to help New York take a 30-22 lead.
The New York Knicks repeatedly threatened to run away from the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter. Brunson joined McBride in the scoring frenzy while DiVincenzo and Hartenstein made their presence felt.
•
Jonathan Kuminga and Steph Curry, however, helped keep the Knicks within reach. They made well-timed baskets when the visitors looked like they were pulling away. Chris Paul came off the bench to add 12 points along with several heady plays.
Golden State got a little closer as the first half ended 62-56 in favor of New York.
McBride’s scoring pace faltered a bit, but Brunson surged for the New York Knicks starting in the second half. The left guard had several connected on multiple baskets and often served as a decoy for the Golden State Warriors defense. He and McBride took turns creating chaos and wreaking havoc against Steve Kerr’s game plan on defense.
Klay Thompson and Trayce Jackson-Davis have bolstered the Warriors’ offense during the same span. Steph Curry didn’t shoot well, but the Knicks defense should also be credited for making it difficult for him to score. The third period ended with New York still ahead 99-88.
The fourth quarter was more of the same Miles McBride-Jalen Brunson to show. Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart also made their presence felt on both ends of the court. Hart ultimately finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
The New York Knicks had enough to thwart every rally put on by the Golden State Warriors and came away with a 119-112 victory.
New York Knicks vs Golden State Warriors player stats and box scores
New York Knicks Player Stats
Golden State Warriors Player Stats
Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Chris Paul and Jalen Brunson 3 points tonight
Steph Curry went 2 for 6 from behind the arc in the first half tonight. Chris Paul and Klay Thompson combined for 3 for 4 of the same range during the same stretch.
Jalen Brunson made just one of four deep attempts for the visitors.
Curry’s ineffective night continued into the second half and eventually finished 4 of 13 from 3-point range. Thompson and Paul grabbed some of the late 7-of-12 triples.
Brunson had a better night than Curry and was 3 of 9 the entire game.
