The New York Knicks snapped a recent slide on Monday night, holding the Brooklyn Nets to 100 points in a road victory that featured several lineup changes and a breakout performance from Karl-Anthony Towns.
Josh Hart, elevated to the starting five for the first time this season, and Miles McBride, back after missing one game with an illness, formed a smaller backcourt that head coach Mike Brown hoped would bolster perimeter defense. The shift paid immediate dividends: Hart was named the club’s defensive player of the game, and the Nets finished 23 points below the average New York had allowed over its previous five outings.
Brown praised Hart’s leadership, noting that the forward had challenged teammates to “change their defensive mentality” following Saturday’s loss. “That’s what leadership is about,” the coach told reporters post-game.
Towns heats up
While defense set the tone, offense came from Karl-Anthony Towns. The center shot 14-for-20 and poured in 37 points—his most efficient night of the season. Towns entered the matchup averaging 21.7 points on 42.9% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range, numbers that had drawn scrutiny during the team’s recent struggles.
Injury concern for Shamet
The Knicks have not yet announced the status of Landry Shamet, who exited Saturday’s contest with a shoulder injury. According to The New York Post, if the guard suffered another dislocation—similar to last season—he may face a decision between season-ending surgery and a shorter non-surgical recovery. “Next man up, honestly,” teammate Mikal Bridges said.
Robinson’s load management
Brown revealed that Mitchell Robinson’s agent has been involved in crafting the center’s load-management schedule. Robinson, in a contract year, can become an unrestricted free agent next summer unless an extension is reached.
Early reviews of Brown’s tenure
In The Athletic, writers Fred Katz and James L. Edwards III offered initial assessments of Brown’s first weeks on the job. Edwards highlighted how the coach has empowered second-unit players, while Katz cautioned that the ongoing experimentation with lineups makes a full evaluation premature.
The Knicks, now seeking consistency on both ends, remain without OG Anunoby (hamstring strain) but hope Monday’s defensive showing signals a return to form after conceding an average of 123 points during a 2-3 stretch.
Source: HoopsRumors
