Heartbreak at Madison Square Garden: Knicks Blow Double-Digit Lead in 114-102 Defeat to Warriors

The New York Knicks faced a disappointing setback on Tuesday night, unable to extend their winning streak to four games as they succumbed to the Golden State Warriors, 114-102, at Madison Square Garden. The loss came after a challenging day for the Knicks, who received discouraging news just hours before tip-off: superstar center Karl-Anthony Towns was ruled out due to personal reasons. Initially listed as questionable, Towns’ absence raised concerns about his status for the upcoming five-game road trip starting Thursday.

First Half Highlights: Knicks Take Early Control

Despite a rocky start that saw the Warriors score eight unanswered points within the first two minutes, the Knicks quickly found their rhythm. They erased the early deficit, making seven of their first eight shots to take a 15-14 lead midway through the opening quarter. The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging baskets, leaving New York with a narrow one-point lead at the end of the first 12 minutes.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau, despite a somewhat thin bench, opted to stretch the Knicks’ rotation to nine players by the start of the second quarter. With contributions from the second unit and a lackluster shooting performance from Golden State, New York managed to extend their lead to nine points by the eight-minute mark. However, consecutive three-pointers from the Warriors with 7:14 left in the half cut the Knicks’ lead to four, prompting a timeout from Thibodeau.

Knicks Build Momentum Before Halftime

The timeout did little to shift the momentum, as the Knicks pushed their lead to double digits for the first time in the final minute of the first half. Jalen Brunson emerged as the catalyst, leading the team with 17 points at the break. The Warriors struggled with their three-point shooting, making only 5-of-23 attempts, which kept them trailing through the first half.

Warriors’ Comeback: A Shift in Momentum

Whatever was discussed in the Warriors’ locker room during halftime sparked a quick turnaround. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler led a 17-7 run that erased the Knicks’ lead, putting Golden State ahead 64-62 with 7:31 left in the third quarter. The Knicks’ transition defense faltered, allowing 11 fast-break points during the period.

Fortunately for the Knicks, they responded well to the Warriors’ resurgence. They posted an 8-0 run in the closing minutes of the third quarter, taking advantage of Curry’s absence on the court. However, just before the buzzer sounded, Golden State reclaimed the lead with a three-pointer, with OG Anunoby making a significant impact, scoring a team-high 22 points entering the fourth quarter.

Final Quarter: Warriors Pull Away

The back-and-forth nature of the game continued into the final period, but the Warriors found their shooting touch. By the midway point of the fourth quarter, Anunoby had cut the Knicks’ deficit to just one point. However, Curry’s return to the floor provided a much-needed boost for Golden State, silencing the crowd at The Garden.

The Knicks struggled to keep pace, missing nine consecutive shots during a critical four-plus minute stretch. By the 2:39 mark, the Warriors had established a comfortable 12-point lead, effectively sealing the Knicks’ fate. The loss highlighted the challenges the Knicks face moving forward, especially with Towns’ uncertain status for the upcoming games.

For more details on the game, you can read the original article here.