Knicks Takeaways from Friday's 113-109 loss to the Nets, including a comeback effort falling short

Nets led by as many as 19 points

10/26/2019, 2:21 AM
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The Knicks fought back valiantly, but came up short in their 113-109 loss to the Nets on Friday. >> Box Score

Six things to know from Friday's game...

1) The Nets controlled the game through the first three quarters, leading by as many as 19 points. But in the fourth, the Knicks stormed back. Wayne Ellington came off the bench to knock down three huge threes with around four minutes to play. The third put the Knicks up 107-106, which was their first lead since it was 2-0. With the Knicks up 109-108 and time running down, Kyrie Irving hit a step-back three to put the Nets up by two with 21.9 seconds left. The Nets would go on to close things out for the win. 

2) Mitchell Robinson was back in the starting lineup for the Knicks after missing the season opener due to an ankle injury. He made his presence known quickly in the first few minutes, blocking a shot and nearly slamming down a ferocious dunk over Jarrett Allen. Overall, though, Robinson showed some signs of rust. He finished the night with six points, seven rebounds, one block, and five personal fouls.

 

3) Elfrid Payton got the start at point guard for the Knicks, and he got off to a nice start, knocking down a three-pointer in the opening minutes. Payton finished his night with 10 points, four rebounds, and two assists. The first point guard to come off the bench for the Knicks was Dennis Smith Jr., who entered the game more than halfway through the first quarter. Smith Jr. didn't play much of a factor in the game, as he was on the floor for just four and a half minutes. Meanwhile, Frank Ntilikina did not play.

4) Kevin Knox's three point shooting continues to be something to watch for the Knicks in the earlygoing of the season. After knocking down 3-of-4 from beyond the arc in the season opener in San Antonio, Knox was 4-of-4 from beyond the arc on Friday, finishing with 16 points.

5) With all the back and forth talking between the two teams about which team reigns supreme in New York, it was almost expected that tempers might flare at some point, and they did late in the second quarter. Bobby Portis and Irving got tangled up, and teammates form both sides quickly jumped in. Portis and Taurean Prince were assessed double technicals. 

Later, with under nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, DeAndre Jordan and RJ Barrett got tangled going after a loose ball on the floor. Cooler heads prevailed this time. Speaking of Barrett, the rookie had an up-and-down night, finishing with 16 points on 7-of-16 shooting.

6) Allonzo Trier came off the bench after starting the season opener, and he provided a spark upon entering the game. The guard played 12 minutes in the first half and led the team in scoring with 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting. He ended the night as the Knicks' leading scorer with 22 points off the bench.

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks are right back in action on Saturday night at 7:30 PM, as they welcome the division-rival Boston Celtics to Madison Square Garden.

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