Knicks Fall Short Against Magic Despite Strong Performance from McBride
The New York Knicks couldn’t overcome the absence of Jalen Brunson and a cold shooting night from Julius Randle in their 98-94 defeat to the Orlando Magic on MLK Day. Despite Miles McBride’s efforts to pick up the slack and OG Anunoby’s 17 points, the Knicks struggled with offensive creation down the stretch.
Knicks Struggle in Fourth Quarter
Although the Knicks led for most of the game, they managed just one point over a six-minute stretch in the fourth quarter, with zero points in four of those minutes. This scoring drought ultimately led to their defeat against the Magic.
Randle’s Poor Shooting Performance
Julius Randle had a tough shooting night, going 5-for-18 with only 15 points. In contrast, Magic power forward Paolo Banchero scored 20 points on 9 of 19 shooting.
Impressive Performance by McBride
Miles McBride continued to impress with a team-high 20 points in 36 minutes. He got the start again and showcased his skills on the court.
Brunson’s Absence
Jalen Brunson missed his second consecutive game due to a bruised calf. The Knicks were able to secure a win in their first game without him, but the Magic proved to be a tougher opponent.
Close Game Until Fourth Quarter
The Knicks held the lead from late in the second quarter until 3:43 remaining in the fourth. Unfortunately, this was when their scoring struggles began, leading to their loss against the Magic.
Missing Players
Both teams were missing key players. Franz Wagner was absent for the Magic for the sixth straight game due to an ankle injury. Jalen Brunson warmed up but was ultimately ruled out before tip-off. However, he is considered day-to-day and may return for the Knicks’ next game against the Rockets.
Randle’s Offensive Challenges
Without Brunson on the court, the Magic focused their defense on Julius Randle, preventing him from getting to the rim. Randle struggled with his shooting, only scoring four points in the first half on 1 of 8 shooting.
The New York Knicks have played more games than any other NBA team on MLK Day and now hold a record of 23-15 on the holiday.