New York Knicks: Grades and reactions from heartbreaking loss to Hornets

Grades and reactions from the New York Knicks’ heartbreaking loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

With 2.1 seconds left in the game, the New York Knicks inbounded the ball to Julius Randle for an attempt to defeat the Charlotte Hornets, but failed, leading to a 103-102 final score. The Knicks had led by any many as 15 points, but they allowed Devonte’ Graham to hit nine three-pointers, the last of which won the game.

Poor perimeter defense lead to the 17 three-pointers made by the Hornets on 48 attempts. The Knicks attempted 20, making only six. How did it impact the team’s grades for the night? Let’s take a look:

It is a shame that as soon as RJ Barrett has a good game, including hitting four of his five free-throws, he has to suffer another loss with this team. The rookie guard played 30 minutes, had 22 points on eight of 16 shooting, two of four from the three-point range, five rebounds, and four turnovers. At a time when those four turnovers would have gotten him a C, I decided to give him the B- because he worked on those free-throws.

It doesn’t matter what Julius Randle’s stats are for this evening. What matters is he is not helping his team. Within the first 37 seconds of the game, he fouled the Hornet’s Cody Zeller for three shots.

After 25 minutes of play, Randle scored 12 points on five of 13 shooting, zero of two from outside, seven rebounds and six assists. He has not improved his perimeter defense either, and it is consistently costing his team games.

David Fizdale did not start Mitchell Robinson again to prevent a situation such as Thursday night when he fouled out of the game. He may not have started, but he played 26 minutes and had the teams only double-double.

The second-year center scored 17 points on six of eight shooting, five of seven from the free-throw line, 12 rebounds and one block.

There was one startling moment in the fourth quarter when Robinson went down and came up limping. The Knicks called a timeout, but he returned to the game for the next possession.

After being the high scorer in Thursday’s Mavericks game, Marcus Morris didn’t play as well. He totaled 29 minutes, 14 points on five of ten shooting, two of three from outside, two of two from the free-throw line and six rebounds.

On any other night, I would have given Frank Ntilikina extra points just because of his defense. Not Saturday, however.

The Frenchman’s defense was good the entire game, but when that’s all you have, this aspect must be great. Although he wasn’t matched up with Graham, Ntilikina is the man for defense on the team, and Graham had already hit eight baskets from outside. Ntiikina should have been all over him every inch of the floor.

This is where the Knicks hurt themselves. Not only do they lack consistency, but they also lack it in the most crucial areas of the game: personal fouls, turnovers and no perimeter defense.

Other takeaways

• Damyean Dotson had extra minutes against Charlotte. His defense was good, but now the Knicks need that offense back from last season. Hopefully, that will return when that shoulder is back to 100 percent.
• Bobby Portis had another good night with 14 points.
• Taj Gibson started the game at center contributing nine points and seven rebounds.
• Devonte’ Graham again led the Hornets in scoring with 29 points.
• Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock are still on the injury list.
• Allonzo Trier and Wayne Ellington did not play due to coach’s decision.
• The Knicks’ biggest lead was 15 points. The Hornets’ was two.

The New York Knicks will return to the court on Monday, Nov. 18 to face the Cleveland Cavaliers.