The Knicks are 2-4 and 12th in the East after losing 93-98 at Philadelphia on October 30. Their core five of Towns, Anunoby, Hart, Bridges and Brunson sits at minus 8.4 over 85 minutes, and the Nets arrive November 2.
Down to 12th
New York lost 93-98 at Philadelphia on October 30 and tumbled from eighth to 12th in two days. The Knicks never found a lead worth the name: their biggest was one point. They are level with the 10th-place Heat at 2-4 and a game off the sixth-place Wizards at 3-3.
The group stalls
The Towns-Anunoby-Hart-Bridges-Brunson group has scored 96.1 per 100 possessions and allowed 104.5 across six games. The defense is not the problem there. The offense is. Anunoby shoots 27.8 percent from three, Bridges averages 6.2 points, and Hart went 2-for-9 in Philadelphia.
Two carry the load
Brunson averages 25.5 points and Towns 21.8 with 13.5 rebounds this season, over six games. Brunson scored 24 on 8-for-22 shooting Friday. Towns added 22 and 12. The New York Post reported that paint defense has suddenly become a major issue. Two stars cannot cover every hole.
What comes next
The Nets visit November 2, then the Bulls come in November 4. Cleveland waits November 7. Jose Alvarado, out with a left ankle injury, has an estimated return of November 4. By our count, New York has lost 159 player minutes to injury since opening night.
Fix it fast
Mike Brown has two home games to repair a group that is minus 8.4 before the Cavaliers show up. Does he change the five, or trust the shooting to turn? Six games is a small sample, but the standings do not wait for it.
Where are the Knicks in the East standings?
The Knicks are 2-4 and 12th in the East. They are level with the 10th-place Heat on record.
When do the Knicks play next?
They host the Nets on November 2, then the Bulls on November 4. They visit the Cavaliers on November 7.
