Through the first quarter of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the New York Knicks had one of the most efficient defenses in the league. However, they have slid in the ranking recently as some tough matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics exposed a few things with their defensive game plan.
To make matters worse, starting center Mitchell Robinson is going to be sidelined for the foreseeable future. Robinson is undergoing surgery on his ankle and will be sideline at least 8-10 weeks, creating a major void in the team’s defensive game plan.
Robinson is a true difference-maker on that side of the ball. He is an elite rim protector with his length and athleticism and their entire defensive game plan was funneled through him. Without him in the lineup, it will take a total team effort for the defensive impact to remain the same.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks Updates
However, as we saw against the Toronto Raptors in the first game without Robinson, it will take some time to adjust. The Raptors entered Monday night’s game against the Knicks as one of the least efficient offensive teams in the NBA. You wouldn’t have known it watching the game.
The Raptors scored 130 points in the game, shooting way above their normal percentages. However, it wasn’t enough to defeat the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, who had an impressive shooting display of their own/
New York shot 60.5 percent from the field and 58.6 percent from 3-point range. That more than made up for a lackluster night at the foul line, where the team shot a lowly 65.2 percent. In what was an impressive feat, every player on the Knicks shot at least 50 percent from the field on Monday night.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks Updates
Leading the way was Julius Randle, who got off to a hot start and never slowed down. He scored a game-high 34 points and oddly enough, was the only player on the team with a negative plus/minus ratio at -1. Randle was one of six Knicks in double-figures. RJ Barrett poured in 27 while Jalen Brunson scored 21 with nine assists.
The offensive outburst was even more impressive when taking into account that Immanuel Quickley, the team’s top gun off the bench, was sidelined because of right knee soreness. The rest of the group more than picked up the slack with Isaiah Hartenstein, Quentin Grimes and Josh Hart all scoring in double-figures.
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