The Knicks dropped a close one to the Cavaliers, 110-104, bringing their record to 1-2. Cavaliers’ star Darius Garland led with a standout of 34 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Donovan Mitchell contributed 25 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds. Evan Mobley was also effective, adding 17 points and 8 rebounds.
For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson scored 21 points, and Mikal Bridges put up a solid 19 points with 6 rebounds. Josh Hart had a notable game as well, contributing 16 points and 13 rebounds. So, let’s dive straight into the players’ grades for the game.
Josh Hart: A-
Stats: 16 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 turnovers, 4-10 FG, 2-5 3PT, 40 mins
Josh Hart was all over the floor, bringing his trademark intensity and hustle. He snagged a team-high 13 rebounds, showcasing his tenacity on both ends and giving the Knicks multiple second-chance opportunities. Offensively, he chipped in 16 points, including a couple of convenient threes. Hart’s energy and rebounding were invaluable, and his contributions kept the Knicks competitive in the tight moments. He didn’t fill the stat sheet in every area, but his impact was undeniable in this close game, especially in the last minutes while fighting pain and visually limping.
Jalen Brunson: B+
Stats: 21 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 turnover, 8-24 FG, 0-4 3PT, 38 mins
Jalen Brunson was the Knicks’ offensive leader, but it wasn’t his most efficient night. His shot selection was a mixed bag, and going 0-for-4 from deep highlighted the struggles he had finding his rhythm. Despite these shooting woes, Brunson kept the ball moving with 7 assists, showing his value as a facilitator. His drives and mid-range game helped the Knicks stay in the contest, but his inefficiency ultimately limited their chances. A solid effort, but he’ll need to improve his shooting to truly make an impact.
Mikal Bridges: B
Stats: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 9-15 FG, 1-4 3PT, 38 mins
Mikal Bridges had a steady, efficient game, contributing on both ends. Offensively, he shot 9-for-15 from the field, displaying his knack for cutting to the basket and finishing strong. His one three-pointer was timely, though his shooting beyond the arc wasn’t consistent. Defensively, Bridges added two blocks and a steal, showing his versatility and hustle. He provided solid scoring support and defensive effort, but without a game-changing impact that the Knicks needed to get over the hump.
Miles McBride: B
Stats: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 6-12 FG, 2-6 3PT, 29 mins
Miles McBride was a strong presence off the bench, providing a scoring boost with his 14 points and shooting 50% from the field. He hit two threes, adding valuable spacing for the Knicks’ offense, and dished out 4 assists, showing his playmaking potential. While he didn’t contribute much defensively, his energy on offense helped keep the Knicks competitive during his minutes. A solid performance that showed his potential as a key role player.
OG Anunoby: B-
Stats: 15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 7-13 FG, 1-4 3PT, 37 mins
OG Anunoby had a decent night, adding 15 points on efficient shooting and bringing some defensive grit. His shot selection was smart, connecting on over 50% of his field goals, although his three-point shot wasn’t quite there (1-for-4). Defensively, he contributed with a steal and a block, helping to disrupt Cleveland’s offense at times. While he provided a nice scoring boost, his overall impact felt limited in areas like rebounding and playmaking, leaving room for improvement.
Karl-Anthony Towns: C+
Stats: 13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 4-8 FG, 1-2 3PT, 32 mins
Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a solid double-double, putting up 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, but his night was cut short when he fouled out. This left the Knicks vulnerable in the paint, especially as the Cavaliers’ frontcourt excelled—Evan Mobley dropped 17 points with 10 rebounds, while Jarrett Allen dominated with 15 points and 15 boards. Towns’ efficient shooting was helpful, but his absence down the stretch limited the Knicks’ ability to counter Cleveland’s size and power inside.
Cameron Payne: C
Stats: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2-7 FG, 2-3 3PT, 10 mins
Cameron Payne hit a couple of threes, but overall had a quiet night, going 2-for-7 from the field. He brought some spacing with his shooting but didn’t contribute significantly in other areas. His limited impact left room for improvement, especially in playmaking and defense, and he’ll need to be more efficient to become a reliable option off the bench.
Ariel Hukporti: C-
Stats: 0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 0-1 FG, 12 mins
Ariel Hukporti, a new addition to the Knicks on a two-way contract, saw limited action in this game. Though he’s known for his size and defensive skills, his impact was minimal in this matchup. In his 12 minutes, he grabbed 2 rebounds and managed a single block but struggled to get involved offensively, missing his only field-goal attempt.
Jericho Sims: C-
Stats: 1 rebound, 4 mins
Jericho Sims played only 4 minutes, contributing just one rebound with no points or defensive stats. His brief stint was purely to give the main rotation some rest, and he didn’t have much chance to impact the game. With the Knicks struggling to contain the Cavaliers’ bigs, Sims might have been expected to contribute more defensively, but his limited time on the court kept his impact low.
