After a long six months, the New York Knicks started the 2022-23 season with an overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. After being down by 15 points at the half, New York was able to battle back in the second half to force extra basketball.
The Knicks looked absolutely atrocious in the first half. The offense looked stagnant and New York had no answer for Ja Morant, and if that wasn’t bad enough, the Knicks failed to guard the perimeter. The Grizzlies finished the half with 11 made three-pointers.
New York was able to battle back in the second half to outscore Memphis in the third and fourth quarters. It ultimately ended up not being enough, though. All of the Knicks’ starters scored in double-digits except Mitchell Robinson, who picked up his third foul with over five minutes left to play in the second quarter.
New York will have the opportunity to bounce back on Friday night against the Detroit Pistons, who the Knicks defeated in the preseason. Hopefully, there’s one starter in particular that will look completely different against Detroit than he did against Memphis on Wednesday.
Julius Randle was by far the best Knicks player on the floor
If Julius Randle would’ve come out on opening night and looked like the player that he was in 2021-22, New York wouldn’t have been able to force overtime. The Knicks were able to claw back because of Julius Randle’s heart and hustle, which is something that many likely weren’t expecting to see even after he had an impressive preseason.
Randle led the starters with 24 points (9-for-16), 11 rebounds, and six assists in 35 minutes. He succeeded because instead of primarily operating with the ball in his hands, he created opportunities for his teammates. But that doesn’t mean that Randle didn’t have good looks of his own.
Acrobatic. Automatic. pic.twitter.com/1NufgNbKsM
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 20, 2022
Randle fouled out in overtime, but he looked great and was able to keep New York in the game.
It’d be unfair to not address Cam Reddish’s incredible performance. With Quentin Grimes out with a sore foot, the 23-year-old was given another chance to prove himself after a disappointing preseason, and that’s what he did.
Reddish posted 22 points (9-for-15), five rebounds, and three steals. He looked like the player that fans have been wanting to see this season, and after the way that he played, fans should expect to see more of Reddish. After all, Tom Thibodeau drew up New York’s final play of the game for Cam.
sorry for the delay. we can't stop watching this play. pic.twitter.com/SeXSYwao6Y
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 20, 2022
RJ Barrett couldn’t have had a worse performance in the Knicks’ season opener
This is a spot that we didn’t expect to see RJ Barrett in after New York’s first game of the season. He struggled all night and wasn’t able to find his footing. It didn’t help that he was tasked with guarding Ja, either. It’s impossible to keep up with Morant, but Barrett’s defense was flat.
Barrett was still able to come away with 11 points and eight rebounds, but he shot 3-for-18 from the floor and 0-for-6 from three. His shots weren’t falling, he couldn’t finish at the rim, and he didn’t come anywhere close to containing Morant. Barrett did look slightly better in the second half, but not near enough for it to make a difference.
RJ Barrett had an abysmal game and we almost had it in OT on the road against a very good Memphis team. Tough loss but I like the fight.
— Shaun From TKW (@iHateShaun) October 20, 2022
The good thing about the loss is that the Knicks were able to force overtime with RJ Barrett playing what will likely end up being one of his worst games of the season. Barrett needs to put this one behind him and look forward to bouncing back on Friday night at MSG against Detroit.
Knicks: 4 Expectations for an improved Julius Randle in 2022-23
Last season was a forgettable one for Julius Randle and the New York Knicks. Despite that, fans could see a turnaround season from him with some changes.