Knicks’ Struggles Continue
In a disheartening turn of events, the New York Knicks have suffered a string of defeats, losing nine of their last eleven games. This trend has led to mounting frustration among players and fans alike.
Injury Woes
Point guard Jalen Brunson described the embarrassing mishap that resulted in his recent right ankle injury, which occurred during a game against Sacramento.
“It’s tough to admit, but I tripped over my own foot,”
he recounted on Tuesday. Brunson sustained the injury while dribbling the ball, which caused him to collapse on the court. After missing two consecutive games for recovery, he returned on Monday, only to witness his team fall behind by 30 points against the Dallas Mavericks, culminating in a 114-97 defeat.
Another player, Josh Hart, who returned from ankle discomfort, also chimed in on the injury dynamics within the team. Hart sustained his injury in a more conventional manner, stepping on an opponent’s foot during a game. He jokingly pointed out the contrast in their situations: Brunson’s mishap was a product of tripping over himself. Despite the humor, the reality of their performance is much grimmer.
Fan Discontent
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was tense, with fans expressing their discontent through boos as the Knicks extended their losing streak to four games. The team’s record now stands at 25-18, a drastic shift from an impressive start of 23-9 and triumph in the NBA Cup just a month prior.
Hart acknowledged the problem, stating,
“We’re not a bad team by any means, but we’re falling into bad habits that we need to correct.”
Looking Ahead
This downturn began at the close of December. Players believe their struggles may have stemmed from the rigors of winning the Cup in Las Vegas, which felt like an additional road trip that affected their rhythm.
“After winning, we hit a few bumps and now it seems to be trending downward in terms of wins and losses,”
coach Mike Brown commented. He emphasized the team’s competitive spirit, noting that no one in the locker room is willing to concede losses lightly. He called for collective efforts to turn the tide and get back on track.
Brunson, who previously missed time due to a sprained ankle injury during the last season, remains optimistic about his recovery and that of the team.
“Struggles happen, and we’ve got to figure out how to get out of this funk,”
he concluded.
