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New York Knicks: Rounding up a brutal holiday stretch

By Rob Wolkenbrod

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: Interim head coach Mike Miller talks with RJ Barrett #9 against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 11, 2019 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 11: Interim head coach Mike Miller talks with RJ Barrett #9 against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on December 11, 2019 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks closed out a hellacious part of their schedule, from Thanksgiving to the December holiday season. How did they play?

As the holidays go into full gear, the New York Knicks will finally exit a loaded stretch of games that went from Thanksgiving to Hannukah. It featured some of the NBA’s best teams in both conferences, including multiple dates with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets.

The Knicks only found the win column thrice along the way, and a coaching change was made as the result of a disastrous opening to the season. How else did they fare along the way?

  • Nov. 27: Loss at Raptors: In the most brutal way possible to kick this off, the Knicks lost by 28 points, and the deficit could have been higher.
  • Nov. 29: Loss vs 76ers: Just two nights later, New York played a competitive game with the 76ers, one they had the chance to win.
  • Dec. 1: Loss vs Celtics: Yet another competitive game put the Knicks in position to win, but they dropped the ball late, much like most of the David Fizdale games.
  • Dec. 2: Loss at Bucks: A 44-point loss.
  • Dec. 5: Loss vs Nuggets: This became Fizdale’s final game as New York Knicks head coach. He was fired the next day.
  • Dec. 7: Loss vs Pacers: Mike Miller took over as interim coach for this game, which was arguably the Knicks’ most competitive of the month.
  • Dec. 10: Loss at Trail Blazers: Carmelo Anthony showed off his Blazers colors, and the Knicks were crushed to start this road trip.
  • Dec. 11: Win at Warriors (overtime): Finally, the Knicks found the win column in December.
  • Dec. 13: Win at Kings: For the first time in 2019-20, the Knicks created a two-game winning streak.
  • Dec. 15: Loss at Nuggets: There was a chance at extending this winning streak, but the Nuggets found their way in the second half.
  • Dec. 17: Win vs Hawks: A complete domination of Atlanta made it the brightest night of the Knicks season.
  • Dec. 20: Loss at Heat: Miami looked crisper than ever, leading to a blowout win.
  • Dec. 21: Loss vs Bucks: The Bucks played like the NBA’s most dominant team and torched the Knicks out of Madison Square Garden.

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There was little room to breathe over these four weeks, including an ugly seven-game losing streak to start. They overcame it by winning three of four games in mid-December, but that even followed with consecutive blowout losses to Miami and Milwaukee on Dec. 20 and 21. Will the New York Knicks find brighter days ahead?

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