Knicks Can’t Overcome Absence Of Brunson
Photo: Special to the NY Knicks
By Samori Benjamin
On Martin Luther King Day, the Knicks began a stretch where they play 13 of their next 14 games in New York, they left Madison Sqaure Garden with a disappointing loss to a team that caused them to shake things up two weeks ago. Leading comfortably for most of the game and having a seven-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter the Knicks lost to the Orlando Magic 98-94 after being outscored 25-16 in the final quarter. New York product and son of former Knicks guard Greg Anthony, Cole Anthony scored 10 of his 15 points in that final period for Orlando.
The Knicks played this game without Jalen Brunson who missed his second straight game with a calf injury. Knicks All-Star Julius Randle, two of the last three seasons, missed 13 of 18 shots and finished with 15 points. Miles McBride filled in for Brunson at the starting point guard spot and scored a team high 15 points.
When the Knicks lost in Orlando on December 29th, they traded two foundational players RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley the next day for OG Anunoby. A loss now to Orlando at home after going 6-1 since the trade headed into MLK Day, was a bad loss.
