Knicks Escape Memphis With an Ugly Win

Hartenstein is one of only two players in Knicks franchise history to tally at least 20 boards and four blocks in the same game more than once. The other is Patrick Ewing.

Final Score: Knicks 106 - Grizzlies 94
Record: 23-16

Yes, a win is a win, but outside of a few bright spots, it's difficult for Knicks fans to be overly encouraged by Saturday's victory over an opponent missing eight rotation players, including their top five leading scorers.

Memphis has been decimated by injuries this season, and it got even worse Friday night when Desmond Bane went down with an ankle injury. The Grizz, playing on the back end of a back-to-back, were also without Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama, who joined Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke and Derrick Rose on the injury report. As a result, the Grizzlies had just eight healthy bodies active on Saturday. Only one of those eight players makes more than the league minimum.

However, the Knicks found themselves trailing after the first quarter and down four points at halftime. They were incredibly sloppy and unserious over the first 24 minutes of action, committing careless turnovers and barely bothering to defend at times. The biggest culprit was Julius Randle, whom New York was relying upon to initiate the offense with Jalen Brunson sidelined by a calf issue. Rande had twice as many turnovers (4) and assists through the first two quarters and was lackadaisical on the defensive end. 

It's very safe to assume the New York locker room was an unpleasant place at the break, as Thibs undoubtedly lit into his troops. 

The Knicks came out focused and reenergized in the third quarter, putting the clamps on the shorthanded Grizzlies, limiting them to 15 points on 7-of-20 shooting. Memphis missed all nine of their three-point attempts. The final frame featured much of the same, and the Knicks headed back to New York with a victory in hand. 

If we're discussing potential game-ball recipients, there are only two genuine contenders: Isaiah Hartenstein and Miles McBride.