Knicks Survive Fourth-Quarter Scare Against Shorthanded Nets

The New York Knicks narrowly avoided disaster on Tuesday night, eking out a 99-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Despite struggling offensively for much of the fourth quarter, the Knicks managed to sweep their back-to-back set and improve to 29-16 on the season. Meanwhile, the Nets, missing key players Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons, dropped their ninth game in ten outings, falling to a dismal 14-30 record.

Brunson Saves the Day

For most of the night, Jalen Brunson had an uncharacteristically quiet performance, tallying just nine points through three quarters on inefficient shooting. However, when it mattered most, Brunson rose to the occasion. In the final two minutes, he delivered eight critical points, leading the Knicks’ offense and securing the win.

New York had struggled mightily in the fourth quarter, scoring only three points in the first eight minutes. Brooklyn capitalized on the Knicks’ offensive drought, cutting into what had been a comfortable lead. However, Brunson’s late-game heroics overshadowed what could have been a disastrous collapse, reminding fans why he’s the team’s go-to option in crunch time.

Late-Game Woes Persist

Fourth-quarter struggles have been a recurring issue for the Knicks this season, and this game was no exception. Despite facing a Nets team missing two of its primary contributors, New York’s inability to maintain focus and execute down the stretch nearly cost them a winnable game.

Brooklyn, despite its depleted roster, showed impressive resilience and ferocity in the closing minutes, exposing the Knicks’ vulnerability in protecting leads. If New York aspires to solidify its place as a top team in the Eastern Conference, addressing these late-game inconsistencies will be crucial.

While the Knicks can breathe a sigh of relief after escaping with the win, they must turn their attention to ironing out their fourth-quarter issues. With a 29-16 record, New York remains in the thick of the playoff race, but tighter games against stronger opponents could expose these shortcomings further.

For now, the focus will be on leveraging Brunson’s leadership and ensuring that the team executes better in crunch-time scenarios, especially as the playoff picture begins to take shape.