Clippers 126, Knicks 113: Scenes from next man up…if anyone is left

Tonight at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks (45-27) hosted the Los Angeles Clippers (41-31), a team with the league’s fourth-best defensive rating and some still-potent star power. On the second night of a back-to-back and down two rotational players, New York certainly were bound to have their hands full.

The Knicks dominated early behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Cameron Payne, but their early 14-point lead evaporated under a late-half surge by James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Norman Powell. Despite shooting 55% with 21 assists, New York entered the break up just one. With Cameron Payne suffering an ankle sprain and Tyler Kolek pressed into action, the rookie flashed his passing but couldn’t hit a shot, and the shorthanded Knicks struggled to find rhythm. The Clippers torched them for 40 in the third, Kawhi and Ivica Zubac took over in the fourth, and despite a late push, New York never truly threatened again. Final score: 126-113.

For New York, Towns logged yet another double-double, scoring 34 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two steals while shooting 11-of-20 and hitting 4-of-7 triples. OG Anunoby hit the gas in the second half to finish with 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting; Mikal Bridges played 40 minutes, recording 17 points and nine assists; and Josh Hart mustered up seven points, and six rebounds and assists. Nine shots for Josh tonight.

Off the bench, Landry Shamet was a -29 and Mitchell Robinson netted a -22. Both were mostly terrible. Tyler Kolek dished seven dimes and coughed up the ball once, but couldn’t score from anywere, netting a -14.

For Los Angeles, Kawhi and Zubac scored double-doubles, 27-10 and 18-10, respectively. James Harden logged 29 on 8-of-16. Their bench outscored New York’s 24-12.

First Half

The Knicks sank eight of their first nine shots and dominated the glass to take an 18–5 lead, while the Clippers hit 1-of-7 from the field and went six minutes before collecting a rebound. Continuing from last night, Karl-Anthony Towns feasted at will. He punished L.A. inside and out for 13 first-quarter points.

Predictably, Ty Lue’s team fought back. Harden, Leonard, and Norman Powell strung together seven straight to dampen the Knicks’ ardor. Our heroes cooled on offense—missing 10 of its next 16 attempts—but closed the quarter at 56% shooting and held a 33–20 lead. Cameron Payne, running point again, chipped in 10 in the frame despite turning his ankle.

Once again, Tyler Kolek led the troops to start the second. He dished five assists in his first six minutes and logged his 25th straight assist without a turnover.

Mitchell Robinson came on to swat down a Ben Simmons hook shot, for his only highlight of the night (he was a -22). But the Knicks had lost their momentum. Harden took over down the stretch, hitting a triple and a driving layup in the final 90 seconds to nearly flip the score. Leonard and Powell chipped in with hustle plays, including multiple offensive boards and a steal. By intermission, New York’s 14-point lead had shrunk to one. 55-54.

In the first half, New York had 21 assists and shot 55% from the field, but Los Angeles had won the glass, 24-20, fast break points, 9-0, and three-point percentage, 42% to 35%. Towns led all scorers with 15 points; Harden had 13 for the visitors.

Second Half

Kolek took the reins, as Payne was sidelined by his ankle sprain. With three of New York’s point guards injured, Friday’s game in Milwaukee on Friday could be Kolek’s first start of the season. Tune in, folks! Despite all his passing panache, Tyler missed from the field, from deep, and from the charity stripe for a goose egg.

In the heart of the quarter, the Clips blitzed with a barrage of threes—including five from James Harden—to take command. Harden orchestrated the offense, while Nic Batum, Powell, and Simmons piled on with second-chance buckets and tip-ins. New York’s offense flatlined, their defense surrendered 40 points, and L.A. finished the frame ahead, 94–84. No turnovers for L.A., either.

To begin the fourth, Delon Wright handled the point and promptly got dinged for a flop. Oy vey. The Knicks showed signs of life—KAT knocked down a deep three and OG Anunoby splashed from the corner—but the visitors went up by 19, led by Kawhi’s relentless shot-making and Zubac’s work on the glass. New York chipped at the margin with some free throws but repeated fouls, turnovers, and missed threes let the game slip. Harden, Zubac, and Kawhi maintained a comfortable lead by crunch time, and despite a late 9-0 run, powered by Towns and Anunoby, New York was cooked.

Up Next

Professor has your recap coming, and New York hits the road to face the Bucks on Friday in Milwaukee. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.

Box Score