Knicks show heart in 109-97 loss to rugged Rockets defense

All 30 NBA teams deed the level connected Monday arsenic portion of a league-wide effort to escaped up Tuesday — Election Day — to promote nationalist information astatine the polls.

In a nighttime packed with back-to-back tip-offs, the Knicks’ 8:45 p.m. matchup against the Houston Rockets whitethorn person seemed similar conscionable 1 of many. But beneath the clutter of a afloat loaded NBA schedule, this crippled held unsocial value for New York. The Knicks faced a Rockets squad known for its rugged, relentless defense, fueled by the grit of Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet — a squad that, similar Brooks himself, thrives connected getting nether the opponent’s tegument and wearing them down.

This game, however, went beyond the X’s and O’s. For the Knicks, Monday nighttime was each astir heart.

The physicality of the Rockets was evident crossed the court. Jalen Brunson absorbed much hits than helium had successful immoderate of the archetypal 5 games of the season, and Karl-Anthony Towns rapidly recovered himself successful foul trouble. Head manager Tom Thibodeau leaned connected Jericho Sims successful the 2nd 4th earlier taking a risk, keeping Towns connected the level with 4 fouls aboriginal successful the third. The determination required some Thibodeau’s religion and Towns’ subject to debar a 5th foul portion staying progressive capable to assistance his squad spot distant astatine the Rockets’ lead.

Brunson and OG Anunoby powered through, playing the full 2nd fractional arsenic the Knicks whittled down a 15-point shortage successful the 2nd 4th and trailed by arsenic overmuch arsenic 13 successful the third. By the 5:30 people successful the fourth, they had made it a one-point game, but they ne'er took a lead, and ultimately, the Rockets handed New York its archetypal nonaccomplishment of the four-game roadworthy travel with a hard-fought 109-97 loss.

Brunson roseate to the occasion, answering Houston’s strength with his ain and finishing with 29 points and 8 assists connected 9-of-24 shooting, each with conscionable a azygous turnover contempt the Rockets’ pressure. Yet his last fewer attempts fell short. With nether 2 minutes remaining and the Knicks down three, Brunson’s turnaround fadeaway missed, followed by a missed 3 aft mounting up Josh Hart for an casual bucket. On the ensuing possession, Houston’s Jalen Green buried a three, pushing the Rockets’ pb to 8 with 58 seconds near — sealing the crippled for Houston.

Anunoby turned successful his champion scoring show of the season, going disconnected for 21 points portion shooting a blazing 5-of-6 from deep. Anunoby’s aboriginal threes kept the Rockets’ pb successful check, preventing it from ballooning to 20, portion his defence was a constant, adding 2 blocks and a bargain to an progressive nighttime connected some ends of the floor.

Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges added 15 points, hitting 3-of-8 from three-point range. Towns, contempt his foul troubles, finished with 17 points connected 17 changeable attempts, pulling down a season-high 19 rebounds successful an effort to support the Knicks successful the fight.

But New York’s seat was notably thin, managing lone 3 points connected the nighttime — a azygous three-pointer from rookie Tyler Kolek. Miles McBride, typically reliable, changeable 0-of-9, missing each 5 attempts from downtown, and Sims failed to score. Missing Precious Achiuwa, sidelined with a hamstring wounded since the preseason finale, was glaring; the Knicks’ request for extent was wide with Towns successful foul trouble.

The Knicks volition decorativeness their roadworthy travel Wednesday nighttime successful Atlanta against the Hawks earlier returning to Madison Square Garden to look Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and the Milwaukee Bucks connected Friday.