New-look Knicks showcase reimagined offense in 111-109 preseason victory over Hornets

The shot didn’t rather hop similar this before.

If there’s immoderate takeaway from the Knicks’ preseason opener against the Charlotte Hornets connected Sunday—the archetypal of 5 accumulation games earlier the Oct. 22 regular-season opener against the Boston Celtics—it’s the free-flowing discourtesy connected show from the new-look team.

This was the debut of the retooled Knicks roster aft blockbuster trades netted Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. With Towns astatine center, Jalen Brunson astatine point, and versatile wings similar Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart rounding retired the lineup, the squad showcased a fluid, pace-and-space attack that could assistance powerfulness a heavy playoff tally successful the Eastern Conference.

The accent connected shot movement, spacing, and playing astatine a faster gait was evident during their 111-109 triumph astatine Charlotte’s Spectrum Center connected Sunday. Even with the starters playing an mean of lone 15 minutes, it was wide the Knicks person imaginable arsenic a formidable five-out offense, boosted by their revamped lineup.

Head manager Tom Thibodeau unveiled his projected starting 5 of Brunson, Hart, Bridges, Anunoby, and Towns. Brunson led the mode with 12 points connected 5-of-11 shooting, including 2 of 4 from deep. Towns chipped successful 10 points, mostly from the free-throw line, but flashed his scope with a trailing three-pointer from astir 30 feet out, hinting astatine the violative ceiling this radical could scope erstwhile chemistry kicks in.

Towns changeable 1-of-5 from beyond the arc, but arsenic a vocation 40 percent shooter, expect him to regain his bushed arsenic the preseason unfolds.

LANDRY SHAMET MAKES A CASE

Despite being connected a non-guaranteed grooming campy deal, Landry Shamet is pushing for a roster spot, and his show connected Sunday solidified his case.

The vocation 38 percent three-point shooter contributed 16 points connected 6-of-11 shooting, with 4 three-pointers, including a modulation 3 that had Brunson hopping disconnected the seat for a high-five. With the Knicks needing much off-guard options pursuing Donte DiVincenzo’s departure, Shamet’s shooting and two-way play could carve retired important minutes for him successful Thibodeau’s rotation.

MILES MCBRIDE CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

Deuce McBride followed up his breakout past play with a beardown preseason debut, scoring a game-high 22 points connected 8-of-18 shooting, including 4 three-pointers.

The fourth-year defender displayed his accustomed tenacity connected defence portion besides showing improved changeable creation, getting to the rim disconnected the dribble. His quality to agelong the level and support volition apt unafraid him a cardinal relation successful the rotation, particularly with Thibodeau’s accent connected defence and shooting.

FRONTCOURT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ACHIUWA AND SIMS

Jericho Sims and Precious Achiuwa were cardinal to the Knicks’ interior presence, combining for coagulated accumulation disconnected the bench.

Sims, who has visibly bulked up, grabbed 10 rebounds and made a Mitchell Robinson-like interaction with his violative committee work, including a put-back dunk.

Achiuwa was each implicit the stat expanse with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a artifact successful a game-high 33 minutes. The Knicks had a +9.9 nett standing with the Achiuwa-Sims pairing past season, and they picked up wherever they near disconnected successful Sunday’s game.

ROOKIE TYLER KOLEK SHINES

Marquette rookie Tyler Kolek made a beardown content successful his Knicks debut. In the 2nd half, Kolek scored 11 points connected 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, including a item play wherever helium blocked a changeable astatine the rim and past knocked down a modulation three. His composure and quality to sound down shots could marque him an intriguing portion arsenic the Knicks look to make their young talent.

Quite the find astatine prime No. 34.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Knicks instrumentality to New York for 2 days of remainder earlier hosting the Washington Wizards connected Wednesday. Thibodeau is expected to gradually summation the starters’ minutes starring up to the regular-season opener successful Boston connected Oct. 22.