New York Knicks: Late comeback aside, injuries consume loss to Clippers

A troublesome sequence cost the New York Knicks two players, but they managed to make it interesting against the Los Angeles Clippers down the stretch.

Home has not felt comfortable for the New York Knicks this stand. Blowout losses to the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets made a miserable season sourer. It did not transpire as poorly Sunday afternoon, but the Knicks still dropped a game to the Los Angeles Clippers, 124-113.

Head coach David Fizdale’s team actually took the lead with just four minutes left. A late scoring run from Los Angeles sealed it, however, and it was too late to answer the call.

With this loss, as ESPN’s Ian Begley noted, New York must go 3-5 to avoid their franchise-record final mark:

There were two hiccups along the way, though, that dampened the late comeback: injuries to Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina.

Knox landed awkwardly on a three-point attempt, which led to a sprained right ankle. He suffered a similar injury in October, leading to a handful of games missed.

Before this happened, the rookie forward had 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting in 18 minutes.

The greater concern was Ntilikina, who left with a sore groin. He just returned Friday, after a two-month absence from the same ailment.

With only eight games left, it threatens the rest of the Frenchman’s sophomore campaign. Troubled by injuries and poor play, it has been a lost year in his development. The 2019 offseason promises to be a game-changer for the Knicks, and his status seemingly sits in doubt, so not playing for another timespan only hurts his team standing.

Begley also noted Ntilikina’s status is unknown moving forward.

• DeAndre Jordan assumed the majority of the center minutes against his old team, with 20 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Mitchell Robinson only played 12 minutes but had seven rebounds and two blocks.
• Emmanuel Mudiay was the offensive star in the starting lineup, as Dennis Smith Jr. continues to miss games with a back injury. His 26 points were a team-high and he added seven assists.
• Damyean Dotson played a gaudy 44 minutes, as Allonzo Trier missed another game due to injury. The second-year guard finished with 18 points.
• The Clippers’ Lou Williamson led the way with 29 points. Former Knick Danilo Gallinari added 26 of his own.

The New York Knicks have a rare three days off, before jumping into this season’s home stretch. The Toronto Raptors will come to town on Thursday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m. ET.