The Knicks even got help from Kevin Knox off the bench — the third-year forward, who's left many fans scratching their heads as to when he'll reach his No. 8 pick potential, scored 19 points and hit five three-pointers.

Forget that the Knicks had a poor overall shooting night (39.1 percent from the field, 24.3 percent from 3), and it feels like if Randle just put together a game that we've been used to seeing this season, we could be talking about a win.

No matter what happened on offense, the Knicks' defense struggled to maintain Gordon Hayward (34 points), Devonte Graham (19 points) and two other Hornets who had 13 points apiece.

Hayward was a free agent target of the Knicks this offseason, but New York decided not to make an offer close to the four-year, $120 million contract he received from Charlotte.

"The Knicks were definitely interested. I love their coaching staff and the culture they are building there," Hayward said after the game. "They also have some really good young players. Certainly coach [Tom] Thibodeau is established and knows how to win. He’s a great coach. I also have coach Johnny Bryant – who was my guy in Utah who's there as well. Certainly there was a lot of interest on both sides. I’m happy and excited I’m here in Charlotte but they’re a great franchise with great coaching. You’ll see them keep getting better."

LaMelo Ball, whom many Knicks fans hoped the team would be able to draft in November, had a bad night shooting the ball, finishing 3-for-13 from the field, but was all over the court in every other way, finishing with 14 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block.

The Knicks entered the game allowing just over 105 points per game, so the 109 they gave up Monday was only slightly above their usual number.

However, the Knicks typically score above 100 points a night, so that 88 was a huge downgrade in play. New York doesn't exactly have any snipers from 3 on the team, but that's how winning basketball is played in today's NBA.

One guy on the Knicks who needs to find his shot is RJ Barrett, who shot 0-for-5 from 3 and was a dreadful 5-for-18 from the field, and has just had a tough time with his stroke overall this season.

The Knicks are obviously still far from being championship contenders, but with the way Randle has been leading the team this season, they've looked like a team that could — maybe — make the playoffs, especially with a team like the Toronto Raptors reeling and way outside looking in at the moment.

For now, it looks like the Knicks can only go as high as Randle can take them.

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