The New York Knicks won their back-to-back against the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz thanks to the Suepr-Nova Knicks!
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The New York Knicks defeated the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz on consecutive nights. The shorthanded Knicks played without three starters: Mitchell Robinson (ankle), OG Anunoby (elbow), and Julius Randle (shoulder). That made these two wins all the more impressive, as New York ran both teams off the floor. The Knicks won by 36 points across the two games, beating Charlotte 113-92 and Utah 118-103.
The Hornets tested New York throughout a sloppy first half. New York’s new starting lineup took time to gel, missing open looks as they figured out the spacing. Then Jalen Brunson took over the game with a dominant third quarter while Donte DiVincenzo heated up. The Knicks’ former draft picks turned in strong performances off the bench, leaving Charlotte with no chance to recover.
The Knicks looked like they’d start slow again with Utah, but then Colin Sexton started jawing at Jalen Brunson. Brunson kept his cool while his Villanova teammates Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart turned up the energy. An early lead for Utah turned into a quick deficit, with New York’s big men getting in on the scoring fun. The Jazz showed more fight, but the game was decided with enough time for the Garden to chant “We want Taj” throughout the fourth quarter.
The Knicks finished this doubleheader locked into third place in the East with the best winning streak in the league. Let’s review each performance from the shorthanded Knicks, who never lost a step.
The Nova boys pick up the Knicks’ starters
Jalen Brunson:
Game 1: 32 PTS (13/24, FG, 2/6 3PT, 4/5 FT), 7 AST, 4 REB, 1 STL, 2 TO in 34 mins
Game 2: 29 PTS (10/23 FG, 2/6 3PT, 7/8 FT), 9 AST, 3 REB, 1 BLK in 38 mins
Jalen Brunson’s All-Star campaign will be official soon, but his journey into the MVP conversation should start with these two wins. The Hornets and Jazz loaded up their defenses against Brunson, forcing the ball out of his hand more quickly. He took time to adjust and feed teammates, then took over with scoring as needed.
Brunson’s third quarter against Charlotte was spectacular. The Hornets had fought to keep the game close throughout the first half, but Brunson closed the door in the third quarter, compiling a series of field goals and dimes that looked unstoppable. When the Hornets flirted with a run in the fourth, Brunson returned to the game to dominate some more.
Utah’s physicality kept Brunson less efficient, but his passing was even more impressive than in the previous game. The Jazz bumped Brunson while he was off-ball and ran him through screens when he defended. They doubled him at half-court for chunks of the game to force anyone else to beat them. But New York’s MVP picked them apart with some beautiful dimes to big men, weak side feeds to shooters, and drawing fouls.
Brunson had competition for the best performance of the back-to-back. But that’s a testament to how heavily defenses leaned in his direction. Everyone else had space to put up their impressive numbers, thanks to the attention Brunson drew. He still produced at a superstar level and earned a 5 out of 5 for making the game easier for everyone else.
Donte DiVincenzo:
Game 1: 28 PTS (10/22 FG, 5/15 3PT, 3/4 FT), 5 AST, 6 REB, 1 BLK, 2 TO in 42 mins
Game 2: 33 PTS (11/22 FG, 9/15 3PT, 2/2 FT), 4 AST, 5 REB, 4 STL, 1 BLK in 39 mins
Donte DiVincenzo stepped up more than any other Knick in the absence of regular starters. DiVo capitalized on the extra attention paid to Brunson by exploding from the weak side for quick three-pointers and trips into the paint. His finishing in the paint has improved as the year wore on, and he tried to put defenders on posters a couple of times.
DiVincenzo took a half to heat up against the Hornets, particularly from three. But he was locked in almost immediately against Utah. Even more impressive, DiVincenzo might have played his best defense as a Knick. From the moment Colin Sexton started cheesing for the cameras, the Big Ragu seemed determined to make life hell for the big mouth.
DiVincenzo stepped up in Julius Randle’s absence. DiVo handled the ball far more often, and his results were fantastic. He set a career-high for threes against the Jazz while chipping in 9 assists and 11 rebounds across the doubleheader. DiVincenzo gets a 4.5 out of 5 for stepping into a more prominent role and thriving.
Josh Hart:
Game 1: 8 PTS (3/7 FG, 0/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 7 AST, 12 REB, 1 TO in 39 mins
Game 2: 10 PTS (4/10 FG, 0/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 10 AST, 10 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 3 TO in 43 mins
Speaking of players who stepped up, Josh Hart was tremendous in both victories. His scoring was secondary to everything else he provided. Hart led the Knicks in assists and rebounds across the two-game set. We’re used to this much rebounding, but his playmaking was better than ever. He didn’t create solely off transition but used dribble penetration in half-court sets to play teammates open.
Hart’s scoring didn’t change. He failed to convert a three-pointer in either game and mainly took what the defense gave him. His best field goals came on coast-to-coast journeys for fast-break finishes in traffic.
Hart’s performance against Utah is one of the best as a Knicks. He posted the first triple-double of his career while adding 4 Stocks on the defensive end. Hart barely left the floor but never slowed down from fatigue. He gets a 4.5 out of 5 for tremendous contributions to winning.
Precious Achiuwa:
Game 1: 9 PTS (4/6 FG, 1/1 3PT), 5 REB, 1 BLK in 32 mins
Game 2: 18 PTS (8/13 FG, 0/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 1 AST, 5 REB, 2 BLK in 40 mins
Precious Achiuwa’s defense needs a spotlight. We watched him play for over 70 minutes in matchups against various offensive styles headlined by Lauri Markkanen. Precious kept big men in check on post-ups, then chased shooters through screens. He could switch on perimeter players or hold big men out of the paint. His defensive impact was massive.
Achiuwa showed new wrinkles in his offense as well. He hit a three against the Hornets and knocked down a midrange pull-up versus the Jazz. Precious turned weak side kickouts into quick dribble penetration, often making snap decisions off one dribble toward the paint. He hit a spin move and finish that was beautiful, then used the dribble threat to draw a defender and kick to DiVo in the corner.
Achiuwa had the most surprising outburst of the group. He stepped up in ways that I didn’t know were possible. To quote Shaq, “I wasn’t familiar with his game.” Precious gets a 4 out of 5 for giving New York whatever they needed on defense.
Isaiah Hartenstein:
Game 1: 10 PTS (4/4 FG, 2/3 FT), 1 AST, 4 REB, 3 STL, 1 TO in 16 mins
Game 2: 14 PTS (6/10 FG, 2/2 FT), 2 AST, 12 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 29 mins
Isaiah Hartenstein played well in his return from a sore Achilles. He played on a minute’s restriction against the Hornets; otherwise, he might have had a career night. I-Hart seemed to get anything he wanted while he played.
That continued with Utah, as Hartenstein dominated the glass and finished most of his touches in the paint. The Jazz virtually always use two 7-footers, but Big Hart looked like the biggest player on the floor by far. He imposed his will everywhere and started flashing the passing skills we’ve seen when he really gets rolling.
Hartenstein’s defense is a known commodity to Knicks fans, but Will Hardy practically gushed about it. I-Hart was a game changer, disrupting everything going to the basket. It’s a joy to have our big man back, and I-Hart gets a 3.5 out of 5 despite limited minutes on night one.
Homegrown talent helps New York’s second-unit
Miles McBride:
Game 1: 11 PTS (4/7 FG, 3/6 3PT), 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 TO in 15 mins
Game 2: 0 PTS (0/4 FG, 0/1 3PT), 1 AST in 10 mins
Deuce McBride helped build the Knicks’ lead against Charlotte. He continually got open and fired off three-pointers, culminating in one of the best two-way sequences of the doubleheader. McBride navigated through 3 screens, snatched the ball from Cody Martin, and hit a three in the ensuing transition.
McBride didn’t score against Utah, but his defense was a vision. He continued to latch onto ball handlers and fight through screens in a manner that must be demoralizing. I liked that McBride tried to get going with jumpers inside the arc and maintained his dribble better than we’d seen. So, even without the offensive production, we saw some glimmers of potential.
McBride gets a 2.5 out of 5 for a great first game and a forgettable second performance.
Quentin Grimes:
Game 1: 7 PTS (3/11 FG, 1/6 3PT), 2 AST, 2 REB in 31 mins
Game 2: 12 PTS (4/10 FG, 2/6 3PT, 2/2 FT), 2 AST, 6 REB, 1 STL in 20 mins
I generally give players flack for turning in inefficient scoring. Quentin Grimes’ efficiency is dogged by an inability to convert his three-point looks throughout the back-to-back. But I’m giving him a pass because we saw so much potential in his work off the dribble.
Grimes attacked the rim frequently, often attempting to finish through contact, which makes his lack of free-throw attempts frustrating. After he converted a few at the rim, Grimes started to mix in step-back moves that got him space to shoot. Those moves will be there when he gets his jumper on track, and he could explode if they’re falling.
My other note on Grimes is that his defense is back to last season’s elite level. He’s a stifling on-ball defender who, combined with McBride, turns the second-unit defense into an energizer for the entire team. Grimes gets a 3 out of 5 despite poor shooting.
Jericho Sims:
Game 1: 6 PTS (3/3 FG), 2 AST, 7 REB, 2 TO in 23 mins
Game 2: 2 PTS (1/2 FG), 4 REB in 19 mins
Jericho Sims quietly and effectively did his job. He stood out for some impressive rebounds against Charlotte. But his highlight of the doubleheader came off a misdirection he hit Walker Kessler with. Kessler had repeatedly swatted players at the rim, but Sims got a step with his dribble move and then emphatically dunked on the Jazz shot blocker.
I don’t think Kessler’s presence felt the same after that. Meanwhile, Sims quietly got to work with good rim protection and solid rebounding. The developing Knicks’ big was good, even though his numbers aren’t eye-popping like many others. Sims gets a 2.5 out of 5 for being a consistent presence.
Tom Thibodeau’s having a remarkable season
Just as Jalen Brunson belongs in MVP conversations moving forward, Tom Thibodeau needs to be mentioned as a coach-of-the-year candidate. The Knicks have dealt with a bevy of injuries to key players. But Thibodeau has found a solution every time.
The Knicks had every excuse to lose games without three starters. They at least had reason to look sloppy or struggle. Instead, they stomped past two opponents while turning in just 5 turnovers as a team on the second night of a back-to-back.
Closing Thoughts
We’re beyond the point of acting surprised about New York’s success. The extensive discussion on KFTV’s post-game was whether or not they should make another move before the trade deadline.
CP sided with bringing in reinforcements and mentioned the acquisition of Mikal Bridges. Seeing how Villanova players have improved once they get into Thibodeau’s system, Mikal’s a dream scenario. But it’s unlikely.
Alex seemed more inclined to stand pat. The Knicks have arguably been the best team in basketball since the OG trade, and messing with that chemistry could be a mistake. It makes sense to conserve assets for a big swing in the offseason and let this group show us how far they can go. But that’s risky with an injury-depleted roster.
So I say, let’s split the difference. Don’t use assets to acquire players, but wait and bring in reinforcements when players start to hit waivers. That will be a chance to bring in additional talent that can slowly be worked into shape so they’re ready when the main cogs need rest. It’s an addition without costing assets.
The Indiana Pacers are next, and I’m not sure New York can keep it up without at least Anunoby returning. Isaiah Hartenstein had the third-best 3-point percentage in the starting lineup for this doubleheader, and better teams will capitalize on the lack of shooters.
But New York has addressed every doubt I’ve had this season. So, let’s see what else they have in the bag and discuss it after the next one. I’ll see you then, Knicks fam!
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below! Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the NBA season. Subscribe to the newsletter for KFTV content and events, shop discounts, and more at bit.ly/kftvmail. And in case you missed it, check out Alex on New York Post x SNY with Brandon London to discuss the scorching hot Knicks!
