The New York Knicks embarked on a five-game, cross-country road trip last week, challenging their ability to maintain consistency. Yet, stability has proven elusive as the Knicks wrap up their journey on Friday afternoon against the Charlotte Hornets in NBA Cup Group A action.
Both teams took a break on Thanksgiving after suffering defeats on Wednesday night.
The Knicks were outplayed by the Dallas Mavericks, 129-114, while the Hornets fell just short in their spirited fourth-quarter rally against the Miami Heat, losing 98-94.
This loss perpetuated a frustrating trend for the Knicks of alternating between wins and losses on their road trip. New York secured decisive victories against strong contenders like the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets, but also endured a 121-106 defeat by the Utah Jazz, who sit near the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 4-14 record.
The Mavericks, who are in a tight race for seventh place with the Nuggets in the West, appeared vulnerable on Wednesday, missing key players Luka Doncic (right wrist), Klay Thompson (left foot plantar fasciitis), and Daniel Gafford (illness).
Nevertheless, Dallas maintained control for the last 43-plus minutes of the game, holding a double-digit lead throughout the final three quarters.
The Knicks struggled with their shooting, hitting just 46.5 percent from the field (40-of-86) and a mere 24.1 percent (7-of-29) from three-point range. This was a stark contrast to their performance on Monday, where they shot a blistering 60.9 percent (56-of-92) in their 145-118 victory over the Nuggets, including 52.8 percent (19-of-36) from beyond the arc.
LaMelo Ball has been on fire recently, averaging 31.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game this season. He scored 32 points against Miami, including seven three-pointers, following a 44-point game against Orlando and a 50-point performance in Milwaukee. However, Ball’s aggressive play also leads the league in personal fouls with 70, and his absence due to foul trouble significantly hampers the Hornets’ offensive identity.
Despite their setbacks, the Hornets showed resilience on Wednesday night. Currently 12th in the East with a 6-12 record, they are one of only four teams in the conference not within two games of the sixth-place playoff spot. The Heat seemed to seize control with a 31-11 run spanning the second and third quarters, building a 20-point lead.
The Hornets clawed back from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to take a 94-92 lead on Tidjane Salaun’s three-pointer with 42 seconds left. However, Tyler Herro answered with a three-pointer for the Heat and forced a turnover by Brandon Miller with six seconds remaining.
Herro then split a pair of free throws, while Cody Martin missed both of his, sealing the Hornets’ fate.
This marked their third consecutive loss and fifth in six games, with four of those losses being by 11 points or fewer.
The Knicks are 2-0 in Group A play, following a 111-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on November 12 and a 124-122 win over the Brooklyn Nets on November 15. New York is set to conclude Group A play on Tuesday against the Orlando Magic, who are also 2-0 heading into their game against the Nets on Friday.
The Hornets, on the other hand, are 0-2 in Group A after a 114-89 loss to the Magic on November 12 and a narrow 116-115 defeat to the Nets on November 19. Charlotte will host the 76ers in their final Group A game on Tuesday night.
