Knicks Escape

Who needs KAT when you got The Incredible Huk!

Final Score: Knicks 124 - Nets 122
Record: 6-6

If there was such a thing as an encouraging loss or a dispiriting win, Knicks fans experienced both in consecutive contests.  

After launching an incredible second-half comeback and erasing a 22-point deficit in a loss to Chicago on Wednesday, New York (playing without Karl-Anthony Towns and Deuce McBride) pissed away a 21-point lead to Brooklyn Friday night at MSG before a Jalen Brunson 3-pointer and a Mikal Bridges block saved the day.

There are plenty of negatives to discuss from this one (New York giving up 40 points in the fourth quarter to a bad Nets team is completely inexcusable), but let's start with the positives.

Notably, Friday featured the first "Brunson Moment" of the young season.

When Dennis Schroder knocked down a corner three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining in regulation to put Brooklyn ahead 122-121, the tension was palpable inside the World's Most Famous Arena. If the Knicks failed to convert on their final possession, the hot takes would have been scalding this weekend, as New York would have dropped to 5-7 on the season.

So, Tom Thibodeau put the ball in the hands of his captain, and Brunson (who saw his potential game-winner rim out 48 hours earlier) hit the biggest shot of the young season, drilling a three-ball over Dorian Finney-Smith to give New York a two-point lead. Because Brooklyn had no timeouts, Schroder immediately took the inbound and sped downcourt, looking to send the game to overtime. And it appeared he was about to do just that, getting all the way to the rim before the long arm of Bridges smacked away the lay-up attempt.

The crowd and the team breathed a collective sigh of relief and then celebrated. It was certainly not how Thibs would have drawn it up when New York extended their lead to 20 points at the tail-end of the third quarter. But an ugly win is better than a pretty loss.

And Brunson looking like the MVP candidate we saw in 2023-24 is an undeniably encouraging sign. JB finished the contest with a season-high 37 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and three 3-pointers in 34 minutes. He shot 12-of-20 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the free-throw stripe.  

While Brunson putting the short-handed Knicks on his back certainly wasn't shocking, the contributions off the bench from rookie center Ariel Hukporti were the evening's most pleasant surprise.

After bumping knees with Zach LaVine late in the 4th quarter on Wednesday, Karl-Anthony Towns was ruled out of Friday with what the team termed a left knee contusion. Jericho Sims started at center but made a minimal impact, tallying four points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes.

Hukporti, on the other hand, made his presence felt throughout. The German big man checked into the game with three minutes remaining in the first quarter, and Thibodeau didn't take him out for the rest of the half. Hukporti positively impacted both ends, protecting the paint and helping to facilitate the offense. He blocked three shots and dished out three dimes in 15 first-half minutes. The Knicks outscored the Nets by nine points with him on the floor.

While Hukporti wasn't nearly as impactful in the second half, Thibs trusted him enough to play the entire fourth quarter.

The Incredible Huk became the first Knick reserve in eight years to record 4+ blocks and 3+ assists off the bench in a single game. Not bad for the kids' first real taste of meaningful NBA action.

Here are his four swats:

And his three dimes:

Hopefully, this is just the first of many games featuring Hukporti. He should 100% be a part of the regular rotation going forward.