This week, the Knicks started hitting a stride, winning 3-1 and winning their last three contests. The Knicks currently sit at 12-7 on the season, which is good for fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. They also finished up their in-season tournament play with a 3-1 record, earning them the sole wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Sunday, November 26th, Suns vs Knicks
The Knicks fell 116-113 to the surging Suns behind Devin Booker's 29 points and 11 assists. Jalen Brunson was the leading scorer for the team, putting in 35 points and shooting 60 percent from the field. The Knicks were down by double-digits in the first half but battled till the end to come up short when Booker hit a game-winning three with seconds left in the game to take the win.
Tuesday, November 28th, Hornets vs Knicks
In the final qualifying match for the Knicks to make it into the final four bracket, they defeated the Hornets 115-91 behind 25 points and 20 rebounds for Julius Randle. Immanuel Quickley came off the bench for 23 points of his own. The Knicks jumped out to a big lead in the first quarter and never relinquished it. They poured it on in the second half to walk away with a commanding win.
Thursday, November 30th, Pistons vs Knicks
The Knicks won a nip-and-tuck game 118-112 against the lowly Pistons behind Brunson’s 42-point outburst. Brunson made 7 of 12 three-pointers, and Randle added 29 points and ten rebounds in the win. The Knicks trailed by two points entering the final period but outscored the Pistons 33-25 in the final quarter to win.
Friday, December 1st, Knicks vs Raptors
Randle continued his tear, scoring 20 points, grabbing ten boards, and dishing nine assists for the near triple-double to lead the Knicks to a 119-106 win against the Raptors. Brunson scored 22 points, and Josh Hart came off the bench and scored 17 points. The Knicks outscored the Raptors 33-20 in the third quarter to seal their third straight victory.
Looking ahead
The Knicks will next be in action in the first-ever quarterfinals of the in-season tournament as the fourth seed against No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks. Tuesday at 7:30 P.M. They met in the first game of the qualifier, where the Bucks won 110-105 over the Knicks at home. Brunson had 45 that game and will need to keep the stroke to go into Milwaukee and win.
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