NY Knicks: Best Wins and Worst Losses of the Regular Season

NY Knicks: The three worst losses

3. May 5th @ Denver Nuggets 113-97

Let’s set the scene on this one a bit. The Knicks headed into this game having won 12 of their last 13 games on one of the greatest homestands in recent memory.

From the opening tip of this contest, the Knicks looked like they were struggling to breathe that Mile High Air.

All of the worst fears and questions from Knicks haters seemed to be proven correct in this one.

Can the Knicks play with the NBA’s elite teams?

Sure didn’t seem like it that night. Even with the Nuggets missing Jamal Murray.

Does it really matter if Elfrid Payton starts the game despite Derrick Rose outplaying him?

It sure seems like it did. The Knicks were down 34-22 at the end of the first quarter and Elfrid Payton was a -18, per NBA.com.

You really think Julius Randle deserves MVP votes?

I mean, yeah, no, I guess not. Not compared to Jokic who had no problems doing what he wanted against the Knicks.

This one was over early.

2. March 31st @ Minnesota Timberwolves 102-101

This one stung for a lot of reasons.

First, the Knicks are just clearly a better team than the Timberwolves are this year. It’s not really even that close.

Second, the Knicks played like they were the better team but just didn’t finish the game. The Knicks were up by 18 at one point in the second quarter but took a one-point lead into halftime. Then they were up by 11 points at the end of the third quarter before losing the game in the fourth.

Third, there were just some questionable coaching decisions from Tom Thibodeau. Reggie Bullock did not have a great game. He was a -10 in 38 minutes of playing time. Immanuel Quickley was a +11, but only saw 13 minutes of action.

In a one-point loss, that makes a huge difference.

1. April 5th @ Brooklyn Nets 114-112

On my momma’s birthday, no less.

This one hurt for all the possible reasons.

Knicks fans always want to beat the Nets, but this one felt like the opportunity to really make it happen. Kevin Durant and Landry Shamet did not play at all and James Harden only played 4-plus minutes.

If you tell me that before the game, I’m cautiously optimistic.

Throw in that Julius Randle had 19, 12, and 12 to accompany RJ Barrett’s 22 points and Reggie Bullock’s 21, and I would have bet money the Knicks won that game. And I am not a betting man.

Kyrie Irving had other plans. He dropped 40 points on the Knicks including an absolute dagger 3-pointer with under a minute left.

Gut punch.

Worst loss of the year.