New York Knicks: Perspective on this landmark losing streak ending

A tough battle in Atlanta sent the New York Knicks home a winner for an extended All-Star break Thursday.

Jan. 4 against a LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers. That was the last time the New York Knicks won a game. Before that was Dec. 14. Before that was Dec. 1.

Well, for those fans not rooting for the “tank,” Hallelujah, they Knicks have finally won a game, breaking their 18-game losing streak. They toppled the Atlanta Hawks, 106-91, to reach their 11th win.

Sure, achieving a higher draft pick is a silver lining of this prolonged losing. Yes, almost every opponent outmatches them. However, there’s still the human element of it all.

Case in point: the team’s reaction as the game ended. Everyone was off the bench, ecstatic and relieved for what just happened. They rolled this 18 pound weight off their shoulders, and most of these players are not accustomed to losing, especially the ones recently out of school. Winning was all they knew, but, for the past four months, they have lost over four times as many games as those walked out victoriously from.

Frankly, for those in the “lose at all costs for Zion Williamson” corner, winning this hardly effects New York’s chances at the No. 1 pick. They still own the NBA’s second-worst record, over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls, but behind the Phoenix Suns. The worst three records will also have the same lottery odds, albeit the worst record can only fall to fifth.

As a reminder, too: the Knicks have a 47 percent chance to attain the fifth pick if they end with the worst record. Their 14 percent odds at claiming the top selection, and Williamson, feel minuscule. So one win won’t hurt. Neither will another, or another, and keep them in the mix to draft first.

They won’t lose them all. That’s almost unprecedented. Might they lose another 22 of 24 to close the season after the All-Star break, though? It’s realistic if the past six weeks were any indication.

Enjoy the win for one night, because this Knicks team probably has a few players that will stick around for 2019-20, and nights like this are positive for them. It’s all part of the “developmental” season, which has truly lived up to its name.

• Players actually stepped onto the court, too, led by Dennis Smith Jr. After some expected, erratic games, the sophomore had 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting and seven assists. A nice performance to enter the break with some momentum, after shining in his first few games as a Knick.
• Not as big of a night for Mitchell Robinson, but his rising play was still on display. He added six points and chipped in four big blocks, but the seven rebounds in 10 minutes continued his aggressive play on the boards. As noted in previous game wrap-ups, it’s as positive of a development as any, since covering ground under the rim was a problem in the season’s first half.

• Another solid night for Kadeem Allen. His 14 points and team-high nine assists happened in just 24 minutes. How soon until the Knicks turn his two-way deal into an NBA contract? That’s even with Frank Ntilikina and Emmanuel Mudiay‘s respective returns.
• Speaking of them, what are their roles upon return? There’s no reason to bench Mudiay, due to his offensive (certainly not defensive) consistency, but who loses playing time? Ntilikina is a more fascinating situation, as he struggled mightily for most of this season.
• John Jenkins‘ 14 points in 25 minutes gave head coach David Fizdale’s rotation the knockdown shooting it clamored for all season. He’s another candidate to sign for the rest of the season or earn another 10-day contract after the All-Star break.
• It’s been a disappointing ride for Kevin Knox since December ended. Another tough night from the field gave him just nine points on 2-for-9 shooting, but he added 10 rebounds in 22 minutes.

The New York Knicks now have the All-Star break to embrace. It’s finally here, and they don’t return until Friday, Feb. 22, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the meantime, Knox will play in Friday’s Rising Stars game and Smith will participate in Saturday’s dunk contest.