Anfernee Simons scored 21 off the Sixers bench Friday, two more than all the Knicks reserves combined, in a 98-93 loss. New York is 2-4, 12th, and hosts the Nets on November 2.
Bench Gets Buried
Simons hit 5 of 8 from deep and finished plus-6. The Knicks bench scored 19 total, and McBride had 10 of them. Shamet went minus-7 in 16 minutes. Clarkson was plus-5 in nine minutes and was on the floor for the closing stretch. The starters put up 74. It was not enough.
Philly Owns This
Three meetings with Philadelphia, three losses: by 23 on October 5, by six on October 20, by five Friday. New York never led by more than one point. The Sixers led by as many as 14. Embiid shot 3 of 12 and still walked off a winner. That should sting.
Shots Not Falling
Brunson went 8 for 22, 3 for 10 from three. Hart went 2 for 9 and finished minus-10, the worst mark on the team. Towns was the steady one: 22 and 12 on 8-of-15 shooting, plus-2, on the same day he was listed with a left wrist issue and then cleared.
Nets, Then Bulls
Three days off, then Brooklyn visits November 2 and Chicago visits November 4. ESPN reported that Alvarado's ankle would keep him out a fourth straight game Friday. His estimated return is November 4. At this pace New York finishes 27-55. That is not a champion's number.
Bottom Line
ESPN's Vincent Goodwill reported the Knicks know they need to play "the right way." Knowing is cheap. The open question is whether Mike Brown can find a second unit that holds the line, because the starters keep digging holes they can't climb out of.
When do the Knicks play next?
The Knicks host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, November 2. They host the Chicago Bulls on November 4.
When will Jose Alvarado return for the Knicks?
Alvarado has a left ankle injury, and his estimated return is November 4 against the Bulls. That means he is expected to miss the Nets game.
