The New York Knicks continue to roll.
After a rocky start to the season, the team is on an eight-game win streak and sits only a half-game behind the Boston Celtics for second in the Eastern Conference.
Mikal Bridges is Back
Mikal Bridges has contributed to much of the team’s recent success. He is slowly filling the All-Star role the Knicks expected of him. After a disastrous start to the season — during which Bridges showcased a different jump shot and had inconsistent outings — he seems to have finally turned the corner and opened up a new era for the Knicks.
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Bridges made a statement on Christmas Day against the San Antonio Spurs. He dropped 41 points on 17-for-25 shooting from the field and 6-9 behind the arc. Bridges’ performance electrified Madison Square Garden, leading them to a close victory.
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Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau commented on Bridges’ recent play.
“[Bridges] has a great rhythm going now. He understands his teammates a lot better. His teammates understand him a lot better. He is playing a great floor game. He is moving without the ball. He is getting down the floor quickly in transition.”
In his last ten games, he has averaged 21.2 points, shooting 56.6 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three. He remains the Knicks’ X-factor and can become one of the league’s best “three and D” players— vital to the team on both ends.
KAT Continues to Dominate
Among the Knicks’ off-season moves, the Karl-Anthony Towns trade was among the franchise’s most brilliant in recent history. Towns is averaging 24.7 points and 13.5 rebounds and recently passed Knicks legend Patrick Ewing for the fourth-longest double-double streak in Knicks history, with 18.
His numbers resemble Kevin Love‘s 2013-14 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Love averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game that season.
The only minor criticism of Towns’ play this season is that he consistently finds himself in foul trouble. Against the Spurs, he sat out much of the fourth quarter because he picked up five fouls. KAT averages 3.6 personal fouls per game this season, which hurts the Knicks because they are thin at the center position.
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Regardless, Towns has a chance of being a dark horse in this year’s MVP race, especially if the Knicks continue to succeed because of his play.
Josh Hart‘s Career Year
Josh Hart has made significant strides this season. He’s averaging career-best numbers, including his highest in rebounds (8.4), assists (5.4), and steals (1.5), with excellent 58/39/81 shooting splits. Hart is also averaging the second-highest points per game in his career (14.4).
Hart notched his ninth career triple-double of the season Monday night against the Washington Wizards. He posted 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. He now sits fourth on the list of most triple-doubles for a Knicks player.
Hart’s ability to impact the game without scoring makes him a unique player. Whether it’s with his defense, getting an offensive rebound late in a game, or making a clutch steal, he can shift the game’s momentum in a snap. The Knicks will continue to rely heavily on him for the rest of the season.
Moving Forward
The Knicks will continue to build momentum as they inch towards the first-place seed in the East. New York is one of the highest-scoring teams in the league, averaging 117.8 points per game (tied for fifth).
However, their bench hasn’t provided much help, ranking last with 20.5 points per contest, while Thibs runs his starters into the ground. With the deadline approaching, a bench-buffer trade could be on the way.
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