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New York Knicks: Who stepped up against the Denver Nuggets?

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: Kyle O'Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets battle for the ball in the second quarter during their game at Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 30: Kyle O'Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks and Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets battle for the ball in the second quarter during their game at Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 30: Doug McDermott #20 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on October 30, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 30: Doug McDermott #20 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on October 30, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Doug McDermott

Throughout the first six games of the 2017-18 NBA regular season, Doug McDermott has surprised fans with his defense. He needs to improve his footwork in isolation, but his energy has been valuable within the scheme.

Against the Denver Nuggets, McDermott began to display how valuable he could be to the offense that head coach Jeff Hornacek is developing.

McDermott played 21 crucial minutes against the Nuggets, recording 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one offensive board. He shot 4-of-10 from the field, burying three of his six attempts from beyond the arc.

Most importantly: The Knicks outscored the Nuggets by seven points when McDermott was on the court—a compelling truth considering New York won by six.

McDermott made his most significant mark with roughly a minute remaining in the third quarter. Denver had reached the apex of its dominant run, tying the game at 77-77, only for McDermott to knock down a contested three to give New York the lead at 80-77.

The game remained close, but New York led the rest of the way—a truth made possible by McDermott’s gigantic shot with the Knicks’ backs against the wall.

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