The Knicks open a three-game week Friday in Philadelphia against a team that has already beaten them twice. Then come two at the Garden, Brooklyn and Chicago, with a 2-3 team trying to prove the last two nights were no fluke.
Philly Owns Them
Friday, October 30, at Philadelphia on Prime Video, and it counts in the Emirates NBA Cup group stage. Nick Nurse's 76ers are 4-1 and have handled New York twice this month, 120-97 on October 5 and 106-100 on October 20. That second one was opening night at the Garden. Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and LeBron James give Philly more top-end talent than anyone on this week's card. This is the game that tells you where the Knicks stand. Philadelphia gets a day off before it. The Knicks played Wednesday in Chicago, their third game in seven days.
Thin Up Front
The Sixers' frontcourt depth is gutted. Ariel Hukporti is out with a right Achilles injury, Tacko Fall with a left quad, and Dominick Barlow with a back problem. Jabari Walker carries a left knee listing. That is an invitation for Karl-Anthony Towns, who had 19 points and 13 rebounds in Chicago, and for Andre Drummond, who grabbed 11 boards in 15 minutes.
Two at Home
Brooklyn visits Monday, November 2. It's the crosstown fight, and it never comes cheap. Chicago follows Wednesday, November 4, a week after New York crawled out of a 19-point hole to win 133-127. Norman Powell burned the Knicks for 30 on 10-of-15 shooting that night, and an 11-0 Bulls run in the third quarter put them up 87-68. Let Powell loose again and the Garden won't be so forgiving.
The Bridges Question
The New York Post reported that Mikal Bridges was benched as the reserves rallied in Chicago. He played 13 minutes and finished minus-5. The bench scored 48. Jordan Clarkson put up 18 in 17 minutes, and Tyler Kolek dished nine assists without a turnover. The starting five of Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Bridges and Jalen Brunson is minus-7.6 per 100 possessions over 68 minutes. Mike Brown has a lineup decision to make, and those numbers say make it soon.
Bottom Line
New York is 2-3, eighth in the East and a game back of sixth-place Charlotte. Brunson has scored 30-plus in three straight games, averaging 37.7. Jose Alvarado is out with a left ankle injury and is projected back Friday. Towns and Landry Shamet are cleared. A win in Philadelphia turns a two-game streak into a statement. A loss makes it 0-3 against the one East team that keeps beating them.
When do the Knicks play the 76ers in the NBA Cup?
Friday, October 30, in Philadelphia on Prime Video. It is an Emirates NBA Cup group-stage game.
Who is injured for the Knicks this week?
Jose Alvarado is out with a left ankle injury and is projected to return Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Landry Shamet have been cleared.
