New York lost 98-148 at Toronto, the widest margin of an 0-3 preseason, with Brunson, Towns, Bridges, Anunoby and Hart all held out to rest. James Wiseman led the fill-in lineup with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and New York's actual rotation finally gets a look in the October 15 rematch.
Reserves Overwhelmed
The Knicks lost 98-148 at Toronto, falling behind by 45 points and never finding footing against a Raptors team that outscored them in every quarter but the fourth. New York's five best players sat out, officially day-to-day for rest, leaving two-way players and reserves to absorb the damage in an 0-3 preseason.
Wiseman Stands Out
James Wiseman was the one bright spot, going 7-for-8 for 18 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes. Mohamed Diawara added 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting from deep, but the math still buried New York: Diawara finished minus-28, Jose Alvarado minus-25 and Tyler Kolek minus-25, each logging close to a half of floor time.
No Days Off
Schedule explains some of it. New York played a back-to-back with zero rest days and its second game in the previous week, while Toronto came in off two days of rest and just one game in seven. That gap showed up by the second quarter and never closed.
The Rematch
These two teams meet again on October 15, with the real rotation expected back — Brunson, Towns, Bridges, Anunoby and Hart are all projected to return around that date. New York's regular-season opener against the 76ers follows on October 20, five days later.
Bottom Line
New York is carrying $227.7 million in salary, above the league's second apron, which is part of why the front office froze extension talks with Towns last week. ESPN reported that Carmelo Anthony believes the Knicks were right to table those talks and focus on the season — nights like this one are the argument for doing exactly that.
Why did the Knicks lose so badly to the Raptors in the preseason?
New York rested its five regular starters — Brunson, Towns, Bridges, Anunoby and Hart — on the second night of a back-to-back with no days off, and the fill-in lineup that played fell behind by 45 points in a 98-148 loss.
When do the Knicks play the Raptors again?
The two teams meet again on October 15, when New York's starters are expected back, five days before the regular-season opener against the 76ers on October 20.
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