The New York Knicks rang in 2022 with a 120-105 defeat to the Toronto Raptors. Omicron’s rapidity spreading and humanity’s stupidity helping it along combined to leave Toronto’s arena closed to any fans. In keeping with that spirit of absence, the Knicks never really showed up either, falling behind by double-digits five minutes in and trailing by that much throughout. The Knicks played without Julius Randle, Derrick Rose, Kemba Walker, Mitchell Robinson, Nerlens Noel, Wayne Selden, Jericho Sims, dignity, their best effort, or a snowball’s chance in hell of winning.
Fred VanVleet bent the Knicks over his knee in the opening quarter and spanked ‘em over and over and over and over.