The Knicks were back home Monday, the first of four straight home games sandwiching the All-Star break. But with a five-game road trip behind them and a seven-game trip awaiting them after these four home games, the Knicks hardly can take anything for granted.
They opened the homestand against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team with five straight losses and without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, their leading scorer. The Thunder were 17-39 before Monday’s game but did beat the Knicks, 95-80, on Dec. 31.
"I think the way they're playing, playing fast, particularly in the last five games, [Josh] Giddey is pushing the ball," coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game.