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Knicks game notes, observations: Victor Oladipo closes the door

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: Allonzo Trier #14 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers on October 31, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: Allonzo Trier #14 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers on October 31, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After another close game, the New York Knicks fell to the Indiana Pacers, 107-101.

Game 8 for the New York Knicks took them back home against the Indiana Pacers. It turned into a close night versus a likely playoff team, but a close-out from Victor Oladipo, and Domantas Sabonis’ near-perfect night, gave head coach ate McMillan’s team a 107-101 win.

This night was not without takeaways at both ends of the floor for the Knicks. So, after falling to 2-6, what were the game notes and observations Wednesday night?

  • Tim Hardaway Jr. took on the lead role in the first seven games, but Wednesday was his best and most efficient performance yet.
  • Is it too early to start the All-Star talk for Hardaway? The Eastern Conference is wide open and he’s already amongst its leading scorers.
  • Quiet but consistent: that’s what Damyean Dotson seems to bring every night. He has yet to score fewer than 10 points in a game since joining the rotation.
  • This was probably Enes Kanter’s lowest point of the early season. Domantas Sabonis had his way on pick and rolls throughout the night against him, and the Pacers were all over the Knicks in the paint. Plus, Kanter shot just 3-of-11.
  • Mitchell Robinson finished with 0 points, but 2 blocks that kept him a threat on the defensive end.
  • Frank Ntilikina’s apparent green light didn’t extend into tonight’s game, but made up for it with dishes and defense. No reason to remove him from the starting lineup after this five-game stretch closes or anytime afterward.
  • Back-to-back double-digit point games for Allonzo Trier after a trio of silent nights.
  • No minutes for Emmanuel Mudiay. He’s healthy, and head coach David Fizdale said he will receive a start. Trey Burke’s role has faded since opening night, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to find him sitting for a full game soon.
  • These Young Knicks have struggled to close out games, and this was no different. Indiana went on a 9-0 run, including a fastbreak basket and game-sealing three-pointer from Victor Oladipo with Hardaway receiving the defensive test. He hit a second big shot, fading away and all, after Bogdan Bogdanovic air-balled an outside shot.
  • Speaking of Oladipo, Knicks fan or not, it’s hard to not dig this Black Panther costume he entered Madison Square Garden in.

The Knicks will return to the court on Friday, Nov. 2 against the Dallas Mavericks at 8:30 p.m. ET on MSG and FSSW.

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